West Mansfield in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Flatwood Schoolhouse

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 4, 2010

1. Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker

Inscription. Descendants of slaves, who may have reached Ohio through the Underground Railroad, and other African Americans, formed the community of Flatwoods in the southwest part of Bokescreek Township. This one-room schoolhouse was built circa 1868 for African American children of Flatwoods and remained open until 1923. Remnants of past lessons remain inscribed on the chalkboard. The schoolhouse was threatened with demolition in 1999 and later moved to Veteran's Park. The Logan County Historical Society owns and maintains the site as a living history museum.

Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Logan County Commissioners, Bellefontaine Middle School Sixth-Grade Enrichment Class, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 40° 24.334′ N, 83° 32.775′ W. Marker is in West Mansfield, Ohio, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (County Route 142) and Lake Avenue (Ohio Route 47)

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, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. This historical marker is located in the community's Veteran's Park, directly on front of the old school house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Mansfield OH 43358, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. West Mansfield (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named West Mansfield (approx. 0.7 miles away); Greeneville Treaty Line / Greeneville Treaty Line in Union County (approx. 4.3 miles away); York Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); York Center WW II Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); East Liberty School (approx. 5.3 miles away); Home of John Garwood / Garwoods Mill Site (approx. 5.6 miles away); Byhalia School Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Mansfield.

Additional commentary.
1. Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker
On August 3, 2012, while visiting the Logan County Historical Museum in Bellefontaine, Ohio, I was surprised to learn that the Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker had been seriously damaged and was no longer on display at its original historic site. Instead I learned that it is currently in storage in the basement of the Logan County Historical Museum, awaiting repairs and eventual remounting.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 4, 2010

2. Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker
View of the historical marker situated in front of the one room school house.
— Submitted August 24, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 4, 2010

3. Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker

Distant view of the historical marker in front of the school house at West Mansfield's Veteran Memorial Park.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 3, 2012

4. Flatwood Schoolhouse Marker

View of the damaged historical marker which is currently being stored in the basement of the Logan County Museum, in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,158 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on August 24, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.