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Two weeks ago, we took a look at Zoar, this week we will take a look at 19th century
Collins Center.
Collins Center
Early on, this area was known as the East District. Just as the Bagdad area was
known as West Collins.
Similar to Gowanda, a great deal of history played out in Collins Center, so we will
begin with the situation of education:
Early Schools:
One of the earliest schools in Collins was located near Collins Center. It was a log-
house built by Nathan King & his sons in 1811. The school would be taught by John
King. The first students were as follows: the Stephen Wilber family consisting of;
David, John, Paulins & Alma. From the Nathan King family were; Issac, George,
Angeline & Phila. From the Benjamin Albee family were; Benjamin, Hannah & Enoch.
Finally came Isaac Aldrich from Lodi.
By 1817, town residents they needed a building specifically for educational
purposes; thus, one was built about 30 rods (165 yards) north of Hodges Corners
which is believed to be the present intersection of Routes 57 & 39. This building was
made of logs, but covered in board slabs. It had a dutch fireplace (this was a
fireplace wider than it was tall) with a stick chimney. The entrance door was made of
rough board with wooden hinges, a wooden latch and a latch string hanging outside
to be able to open the door.
The benches were made of slabs of wood with holes bored into them to fit in legs
(similar to the old milking stools). The desks were of similar manufacture; wood
slabs that had been planed smooth, with pins driven into the side of the building to
rest the slabs upon. There were small windows on either side of these desks, in
order to write, each student would face the wall, using the natural light to see.
The next building used as a school was no more than a workshop on the Nathan
King property. From here, school would be taught in an old blacksmith shop which
had been converted into a workshop.
The next school would be a small frame building near where the tree with a bank
account stood. This school was built by four of the area's early pioneers; Stephen
Wilber, Joshua Palmerton, Smith Bartlett & Augustus Smith. Later, this house would
be moved into Collins Center where it became a private dwelling. I have found the
following recorded in local history: the next school-house is the one that now stands
in the corner between the two roads. It has been an elusive search attempting to
find this location.
Then came a log building located approximately where the old Free Methodist
Church still stands. The winter session of 1823-1824 would be taught by Caroline
Beckwith, who died in 1831 at Casanovia, NY. The next summer, Stephen Wilber
donated the use of his log shop and was taught by Diadama Vosburg . The winter
term of 1825 - 1826 was held in a log school house located on the road located East
of the Timothy Clark homestead; not being certain of the exact locations of Timothy
Clark's home, this location would be either at the intersection of today's Brewer
Road & Route 39 or the intersection of Rich Road & Route 39. That semester was
taught by Almond Lindsley.
After Lindsley came: Mrs. Barnum, Elias Van Court, Sophronia Brewster, Avery
Knight, Ruth Knight, Statira Cross & William S Herrick. In 1830 a regular school
house was built; from every indication it is believed that this school was in the direct
vacinity of the old Collins Center School. The first teacher at this location was
Chester Howe, who would later become Judge of Cattaraugus County.
The next winter term would be taught by Henry Reynolds. He was followed by
Arnold Mann who taught two consecutive winter sessions. The next names, are the
teachers in order of thier winter terms taught: Benjamin Stearns, Augustus Hatchett,
Charles Woodward, Wilder Fisher and Tibbitt Soule.
The last 19th Century School in Collins Center
Join us next week as we begin looking at all of the professionals and businesses
that once graced Collins Center.
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