AREA HISTORY:  Hanover Schools, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE SCHOOLS – Page 588

The first schools in the vicinity were held in connection with the churches, and 
taught under the superintendence of the minister.  The first schoolhouse in the 
town of Hanover was built by the Reformed congregation in 1777, on York Street, 
where it still stands, and owned by Peter Flickinger.  This school was not 
strictly sectarian,  In 1810 it was discontinued, and the building was sold in 
1825.  During later days John McLaughlin, taught a private school for many 
years, and as early as 1816, his school was considered an old established 
institution.  He taught in a log-building on York Street, where now stands the 
residence of Daniel Flickinger.  McLaughlin remained at his post until his 
death.  He was of jovial nature, and related with zest many amusing stories, in 
which he figured as the hero.  Mr. Carr taught on York Street in the room where 
Miss Mattie E. Grove’s select school is now held, for several years, closing 
about 1828.  In the last-named year Seth Forrest opened a school on Frederick 
Street.  Luther H. Skinner had a school for some time on York Street, in the 
same room formerly used by Mr. Carr.  George W. Stouffer taught for some years 
in McLaughlin’s old schoolroom.  A school building formerly stood on the lot 
occupied by John S. Young’s dwelling, on Carlisle Street, and another stood at 
the eastern end of York Street.

A few German private schools were started, but they declined for want of 
patronage.  This was doubtless caused by the fact that the Germans, though 
jealous of the English language as shown by their opposition to the introduction 
of English preaching, were yet sensible that the English was the favored 
language, and that the prospects of their children would be bettered by a 
knowledge of the ruling tongue.

When the common school question came up for decision there were many in Hanover 
who opposed it.  Henry Wirt and Luther H. Skinner were the first delegates to 
the conventions at York to decide whether Hanover should accept the new system; 
both voted in favor of it, and it was put into operation in 1836.  George W. 
Stouffer and a Dr. Smith taught the first public schools, one in the Reformed 
schoolhouse, on York Street, and the other in a building on the same street, on 
a lot on which G. H. Shirk has lately built a brick dwelling.  In 1847-48, a lot 
was bought on Carlisle Street, and a two-story brick schoolhouse built thereon, 
the children having the whole public common for a playground.  This lot is now 
owned by Reuben Young, and the building serves him as a stable.  George Young 
and Rev. Martin Lohr were the building committee – the two schools held in this 
building were taught at sundry times by Nathan U. Buckley, Matthias N. Trone, 
George W. Gist and J. Wicker.

When the railroad was built in 1852 the lot and building on Carlisle Street were 
sold to George Young for $2,000.  The board, then composed of the following-
named members:  William Bange, president; Jesse Frysinger, secretary; Dr. John 
Swope, John Grove, Henry C. Schriver and Peter Flickinger, bought one-half of 
the present lot for $300 from John Barnitz, of New Oxford.  It was found that 
this lot was too small, the other half of the lot was bought for $500.  On this 
lot the present schoolhouse was built at a cost of $4,000.  Rufus Winterode was 
the contractor.  Peter Brough, the present janitor, has served almost 
continuously since the house was built.

During the year 1885, the school board, composed of Henry Wirt, Washington Bair, 
William Heltzel, William A. Slagle, Charles Trone, William Albright, D. D. 
Ehrhart and William F. Stair built a well-planned schoolhouse in the Third Ward.  
The lot was bought from Cornelius Young for $2,000.  The building, from an 
excellent design of J. A. Dempwolf, cost about $15,000.

Dr. F. A. H. Koch and Howard Young, became members of the board in June, 1885.