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Evergreen School History
Lawndale Township
McLean County, Illinois
(Photos & Transcription by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

The first school in the area was a log school house built by the Henlines near Henline Creek near a spring. About 1856, a frame schoolhouse was built about a quarter of a mile west of the first location. Shelton Smith was the first teacher in this new building. It became known as the Evergreen School because of its nearness to the Evergreen Church and Cemetery. In 1868 it was moved a quarter mile east to the corner. In 1891 Evergreen School had 55 pupils. Jesse Smith was the teacher. That building was replaced by a new one in 1907. [History of Lawndale, Martin, And Anchor Townships And The Villages Of Colfax And Anchor - McLean County, Illinois - A Project Of The Bi-Centennial Committee Muriel Martens Hoffman Historian - April 1976] About 1830 a log schoolhouse was built near Henline Creek on the south side of the road near the spring. Legend relates that some Indian children attended there, for they were still living in that neighborhood when the Henline Fort was built during the Blackhawk War in 1832. The log house, or houses, served the community for school and church purposes until 1856 when a frame house was built one-quarter mile west of the recent location. Shelton Smith served as first teacher in the frame building, which was moved a quarter mile east to the corner in 1868. This building was replaced by a new house in 1907. After remodeling the building was maintained in excellent condition. Because it was near Evergreen Church and Cemetery, it was known as Evergreen School. The district became a part of the Colfax Unit in 1948. [The Story Of McLean County and Its Schools - by: William B. Brigham 1951]

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