Hillsboro in Highland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Early Education In Highland County

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 15, 2025

1. Early Education In Highland County Marker

Inscription. Tracing the beginning of education in any area can be challenging and Highland County is no different. The Land Ordinance of 1785 was the first document to address public education; and the statute which governed the Northwest Territory, The Ordinance of 1787, provided that "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Soon after a new settlement was established, a school would be set up, usually in a home. In the 1800s and early 1900s, one room school buildings in the county numbered more than 150, with schools located about five miles apart so that any student could attend school within two and a half miles of his home.

The first school in the Greenfield area was in the log cabin home of Judge James Moody, having been started to educate his nine children. In 1810, the first building for school purposes, a log structure, was located on Lot 16 on the northeast corner of North and Washington Streets. Also in 1810, we find a log cabin on South High Street in Hillsboro providing space for school by subscription.

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Allen Trimble of Hillsboro is credited with founding the school system of Ohio. In 1822, he established a commission to study the feasibility of creating common, or public, schools in Ohio. Bowing to public pressure, the Ohio Legislature passed a .5 mil tax on property to fund public education in 1825.

In 1868, Union School opened in Hillsboro with approximately 410 pupils. The stone to the left can be seen in the above photograph between the second and third stories of the school. It was donated to the Highland County Historical Society by Larry Snoddy.

This plaque provided by Highland County Retired Teachers Association, in memory of all teachers who labored for education in this county and in honor of those who have retired and those who continue to teach.

Erected by Highland County Retired Teachers Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1785.

Location. 39° 12.092′ N, 83° 36.559′ W. Marker is in Hillsboro, Ohio, in Highland County. It is at the intersection of South East Street and East Main Street, on the right when traveling south

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 15, 2025

2. Early Education In Highland County Marker

On the back of the Highland House Museum.

on South East Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 E Main Street, Hillsboro OH 45133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Log Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Highland House (a few steps from this marker); Hillsboro Center of Population 1870 (a few steps from this marker); John Baker House (within shouting distance of this marker); William Fenher House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.D.W. Spargur House (about 300 feet away); Ohio's Oldest Pharmacy (about 500 feet away); W. R. Smith & Co. (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all

The Highland House Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 25, 2022

3. The Highland House Museum

markers in Hillsboro.

The Lincoln School Exhibit Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 25, 2022

4. The Lincoln School Exhibit Room

A room in the Highland House Museum showcasing the history of the Lincoln School.

History of Lincoln School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 25, 2022

5. History of Lincoln School

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.