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 Hickory College: The Little School With the Big Name  On Ridge Road (Rt. 104), going east a mile outside the village of Lewiston, right in front of the St. Jude Shrine, is a small stone building that belies its long history. Lewiston District #2 or “Hickory College” as it was known since its inception, has stood on that spot since the 1840s. On January 18, 1842, a special meeting of the inhabitants School District #13 met to discuss and vote on a proposed new school. It was “unanimously resolved that a Tax of $380 be raised with the addition of five per cent for collectors fees to be raised for the building Said School house.” It was also decided that the building would be 24’ by 30’ and be built of stone to compliment similar structures in the area. Although it was an elementary school, it was commonly called “Hickory” in honor of the hickory trees that surrounded it, and “College” to compete with the “Academy” in the village. How much the first teacher was paid is not listed, but monies were expended for fuel, a library and a privy (contract going to the lowest bidder for the latter). In December 1850, it was “Resolved that we raise $60 for teachers’ wages.” However, twenty years later, in 1870, the school board only approved “$48.00 to pay teachers’ wages.” Throughout its existence, Hickory College was also used as a community center for religious, social and political gatherings. For over 100 years Lewiston children attended Hickory College. After World War II, with the booming industry in Niagara Falls, Lewiston became a growing suburb. In 1947 the Lewiston-Porter School District was formed and schools like Hickory College were gradually phased out in the early 1950s. In 1959 the building was sold to the Hickory College Church of Christ. Today the school is on the grounds of the St. Jude Shrine. Douglas Farley, Director Erie Canal Discover Center 24 Church St. Lockport NY 14094 716.439.0431 CanalDiscovery@aol.com www.NiagaraHistory.org |