Memories of Cashtown School?

Anyone who has ever stepped into one of this area’s many one-room-schoolhouses-turned-residences knows that they are special places. Corey Finkelstein, who moved his family into the former Cashtown School two years ago, has certainly felt history resonating within his new home’s walls. In the case of the many initials carved on the brick-clad building, it’s even written on them.

Finkelstein has talked to some of his neighbours who attended the school before it closed in 1967, and found out some tidbits of information. John Miller remembers the kids playing “Ante, Ante, Over The Shanty” – a game where baseballs would be lobbed back and forth over the school’s roof – before class and on breaks. Maurice McArthur told him about the baseball diamond that used to sit on the back of the property. And Arthur White identified the writers – some of them his relatives – of a few of the initials carved on the building.

But beyond that, Finkelstein has not found out much about the 84 years, starting in 1883, during which students studied Grades 1 through 8 in the structure where he now lives. And he’s curious – especially since he’s gearing up to perform some major renovations, and hopes to incorporate as much of the history of the school in whatever work he does.

“We’re only the second owners of this place after the school board, and I feel like it’s our duty to preserve the character and charm of the school as much as we can,” said Finkelstein. “In order to do that, I’d like to connect with as many teachers and students as possible who remember what it was like.”

Because Finkelstein works as a graphic designer, he’s also hoping to compile as much information and as many photographs as he can and create a book, which could be made available to the public but would also be something that he and his family could pass on to the schoolhouse’s next owner, should that day come.

In order to gather and share information, Finkelstein has started a Facebook page about the school, which can be found by searching for “Cashtown School” once you’re on the site. He’s also hoping anyone with photos, mementoes or memories will get in touch, by calling 705-520-0110 ext. 201 or emailing corey@inzaneplanet.com. He’ll be more than keen to give you a tour!