Near Sparta in Randolph County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Charter Oak School

Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 30, 2020

1. Charter Oak School Marker

Inscription. Charter Oak School is said to be the only octagonal one-story brick schoolhouse in Illinois. It was built in 1873, in accordance with a design suggested by Daniel Ling, a teacher of the Charter Oak School district. It served as a school until 1953. The octagonal shape utilizes daylight and offers wind resistance. The first school in the district was a log building, erected three years after the Illinois Free School Law was passed in 1845. This was succeeded in 1863 by a frame structure in which Ling taught in 1872-1873.

Erected 1970 by Randolph County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 38° 5.357′ N, 89° 47.637′ W. Marker is near Sparta, Illinois, in Randolph County. Marker is on Schuline Road (County Route 4) east of Orchard Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of the schoolhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9272 Schuline Rd, Sparta IL 62286, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. We Dedicate this Memorial to the Courage and Valor of the Members of our Community

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(approx. 5.6 miles away); Sparta Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); Gold Star Mothers Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); MIA and POW Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); In Honor of Veterans of All Wars (approx. 7 miles away); The Grand American (approx. 7.1 miles away); The American Bottom (approx. 8 miles away); Dedicated to the Men and Women of the Armed Forces (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta.

Also see . . . Charter Oak Schoolhouse on Wikipedia. This was one of 53 octagon-like schoolhouses in the United States, and one of three that still stand. Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 (#78001181). (Submitted on November 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 30, 2020

2. Charter Oak School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 168 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.