Baker School

Baker School

Helen Steward teacher

 

Baker’s School, also referred to as State Road School, was one of the first three public one room schoolhouses in Pocopson Township.  The school was built in a wooded area along State Road (now Route 842) on the George Baker farm (now part of the Myrick Conservancy).  Regrettably, this building has fallen in decay, and only the basement walls remain.

Early Schools

 Schooling was an important issue from the earliest days of Pennsylvania.  William Penn decreed in 1682 that the Governor and Council “shall erect and order all public schools and encourage and regard the authors of useful sciences and laudable inventions.”  Churches probably served as the first schoolhouses, with the Bible (more often than not the only available book) serving as the main textbook, and the minister taking on the role of teacher.