History of Gunn School as Recorded by Inge L. Kyler, Holt-Delhi Historian
Gunn School, District No. 7, Holt Public Schools, has been in existence since a log school was built in 1867. The present brick school was built in 1886. It closed its doors as an active school in 1957. It is named for Charles Gunn, an early school board member at Delhi District No. 7, which later incorporated into the Holt School District. Mr. Gunn, great grandfather of Erving Gunn, gave the school district a 99 year lease on the small corner of his farm. This lease expired, probably in 1966, at which time the land reverted to the farm then owned by J.K. and Eva Moore. The Moores bought the building from the Holt School District.
From 1947 to 1957 there were only six grades at the school. Seventh and eighth grade pupils went to Holt and Lansing as tuition pupils, as did other in high school grades, according to a history compiled by Hilda Menger, area historian.
The last teacher was Mrs. Nada Clark. Mrs. Belle Flinchbaugh was a helping teacher, at that time. The last school board was comprised of Clifford Cooley, George Kahres, and Rudy Pugh.
One June 27, 1992, the Gunn School was officially designated as an Ingham County Historical Site by the Delhi Charter Township Sesquicentennial Committee. In a special ceremony, a commemorative marker was placed on the building.
Except for a brief period when it was used as a church, it sat vacant for many years, and fell victim to vandals. In the late 1990s an artist was the renter/occupant.
In August of 1998, Mr. Moore indicated a desire to sell the property. Although the township had first option, it was unable to provide funding at that time. The Holt Public School Board discussed the property and felt it could be utilized as a learning tool for the school district, and could be a valuable asset. They purchased the one-room schoolhouse that fall for approximately $27,000.
In its early days, the school was surrounded by woods, with a pond nearby. The brick structure was constructed for approximately $800 in 1886.
From 1947 to 1957 there were only six grades at the school. Seventh and eighth grade pupils went to Holt and Lansing as tuition pupils, as did other in high school grades, according to a history compiled by Hilda Menger, area historian.
The last teacher was Mrs. Nada Clark. Mrs. Belle Flinchbaugh was a helping teacher, at that time. The last school board was comprised of Clifford Cooley, George Kahres, and Rudy Pugh.
One June 27, 1992, the Gunn School was officially designated as an Ingham County Historical Site by the Delhi Charter Township Sesquicentennial Committee. In a special ceremony, a commemorative marker was placed on the building.
Except for a brief period when it was used as a church, it sat vacant for many years, and fell victim to vandals. In the late 1990s an artist was the renter/occupant.
In August of 1998, Mr. Moore indicated a desire to sell the property. Although the township had first option, it was unable to provide funding at that time. The Holt Public School Board discussed the property and felt it could be utilized as a learning tool for the school district, and could be a valuable asset. They purchased the one-room schoolhouse that fall for approximately $27,000.
In its early days, the school was surrounded by woods, with a pond nearby. The brick structure was constructed for approximately $800 in 1886.