From “A History of Leelanau Township” by the Leelanau Township Historical Writers Group The first school in the area was started by the Rev. George N. Smith. After it was completed it became a focal point, a “headquarters” of sorts for the pioneer settlement. Rev. Smith taught school on the weekdays and conducted his Sunday services and Sabbath school there. Singing school was held in the schoolhouse on 2 evening during the week. The building was also used for Town Meeting, Court proceeding, Indian Council meetings, and the first election was held in the school house, Nov. 7, 1854, when out of 94 polled only cast votes for Temperance and Freedom.
Rev. Smith and Mr. McLaughlin clearing the ground for the school house in November 1849 and the first classes were held Dec. 23, 1850. The log school house was located on the south side of Main Street halfway between Waukazoo and the railroad (approximately 75 yards from shore.)
Rev. Smith, often assisted by Mr. McLaughlin, would work on the school house whenever possible but the tremendous amount of labor required to build a log building and the diffi culty of procuring material made the construction a slow process. Rev. Smith’s diary entries reflect these difficulties.
