Mount Zion School--1892

Recently, one of our readers inquired about a one-room schoolhouse that used to sit on the westside of what is today North Arlington Avenue (Line Rd) and south of the Pleasant Run stream.  The school predated Irvington by many years.  The building in this photo was built in 1867 and replaced an earlier log cabin.  The school originally started as a Methodist school, but later became a public school serving western Warren Township.  It became the de facto school for Irvington after the founding of the neighborhood in 1870.  Obviously, the tiny school would not suffice once the neighborhood really began to grow, however, it remained in use through the nineteenth century and even after the town fathers constructed a larger school on South Audubon Road.  In this photo, taken in 1892, you can see a dignified (or perhaps stern) looking teacher and well behaved young people.  The children are dressed up for the photo with most of the boys in their knee breaches and the girls in their pretty dresses.  For more information on this forgotten school, pick up Irvington Stories (1992) by Larry Muncie. This wonderful book is now out of print, but you may find a copy at the Irvington Public Library.  I would also like to recommend Irvington:  Three Windows On Irvington History (1989) by Larry Muncie.  This gem contains a complete timeline of the most important events in the history of the neighborhood.  The community has been blessed over the years to have folks who have taken the time to chronicle the story of Irvington. The historic image is courtesy of Larry Muncie.