Rock & Red Brick Schools

The Rock School, also known as the Stone School House, was constructed in 1872 and was demolished in 1890. The school ended its service after the Red Brick School was constructed. The Red Brick school served from 1895-1927. The schools were located near the northwest corner of the Richmond City Rec. Park. 

History

Rock School

On October 12, 1872 during a Richmond City Council Meeting, "it was moved... that one man be elected from each division and one appointed by the city council to form a board of education." On November 16, 1872, the City Council divided up the land into four school districts or wards.1 A week later, School Trustees for each ward were created.2

By 1875, the Rock School was constructed. It was a small, two-room building near the northwest corner of the Richmond City Rec. Park and served as the Third School District.

"Charles [H. Skidmore] started school at five years of age in the Rock School House a little west of the center of town. His teacher was Miss Maggie Thompson. The use of the dunce cap was going out of date but her apron string was useful for those who did not do exactly as she directed. Unruly pupils would have to hold to that string and follow her about the room as she went from one to another to help them with their "sums" or to pronounce words for them, but she was a good teacher. He rode to school in a buggy with his father. School always dismissed if Conference came on a Friday."

Red Brick School

In 1895 the Red Brick School was constructed to create a central teaching place. The school districts were dissolved, and all attended the Red Brick School. 

"This building faced the west, and the main door was on the west with a sidewalk running to the street. The entrance had two wide doors which entered into a wide hall with stair steps running up each side to a landing and then to the center until it reached the upper floor. There were two large rooms located on the upper floor, one on each side of the hall, where the upper grades went to school. The younger students occupied the lower floor."3

In 1900, a severe wind storm tore the roof off. After the roof was replaced, more rooms on the backside of the school were added. The school taught all grades until 1914 when Richmond High (North Cache) was constructed just across the street. The school taught elementary school until 1927. In 1920, the high school was moved to the south end of Richmond, and in 1927, the school faculty was moved into the high school's old building, renamed Park Elementary. The Red Brick School was demolished in 1934.

Monuments

Fort Monument

On Oct 30, 1936, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers of the James & Drusilla Hendricks Camp petitioned for a monument to be built for the Richmond Fort of 1860. "The Rocks on the monument were some that had been used in the construction of the old rock school in the 1870's and later in the foundation of the Red Brick School."4

Bell

The Red Brick School had a steeple with a bell inside. After the school was destroyed, the bell was gifted to the city. The bell remained in storage until 2002, when the Richmond Historic Preservation Commission decided to build a monument to the bell and the school. It stands between the Relief Society Hall and the Post Office.

Foundation

Though not an official monument, the foundation of the Red Brick School is still in place and visible in the City Park. Though, you may have to brush some grass to see it.