According to Pictorial Palmer, published in 1896, by Carpenter and Cady publishers:
“A little red schoolhouse was built at Bondsville just before 1829, to accommodate the children of the new village. It was located near the pond, and served its purpose for more than 30 years. Its accommodations were inadequate, however, for several years before a change was made by uniting with the Duckville district.
About 1850 a large and commodious schoolhouse was made in Duckville by altering two stores. In 1861 this building was moved midway between the two villages, and the two districts were united. The building was used as a schoolhouse until 1891, when the present structure [ Bondsville Grammar School ] was built to take its place. It was erected in the same site, at a cost of $10,000. It is a well arranged building with modern appointments and facilities for perfect ventilation. It is a credit to the town and will undoubtedly serve its purpose for many years to come.”
Bondsville Grammar School - 1891
The Town Of Palmer Web Page , goes on to explain:
“The wooden rear section of the school was built in 1891 with a brick front addition in 1925. As with the other elementary schools in Palmer this one [ Bondsville Grammar ] was vacated in 1991 with the opening of the Old Mill Pond Elementary School in Thorndike. In 1994 a second major fire in the village destroyed the Bondsville Elementary School. It too was completely destroyed on August 11, 1994, in the fire thought to be arson.”
1925 before brick addition
1925 after brick addition
As for the Old Bell, my wife remembers the bell being used in the early 60’s when she started grammar school there. It appears to have been “lost” and then rediscovered in the bell tower in June of 1974. It remained there surviving the August 1994 fire and today is the centerpiece of the Bondsville Grammar Park. Here is a picture of my wife’s father ( Dingity’s grandfather ) on the day the bell was rediscovered.
“Pop” and Rediscovered Bell - June 1974
I will leave it to the cacher to explore the other pictures included below, as well as inspect the bell ( it is over 100 years old ) when you visit to log the cache. If you have stories or pictures about the school, please feel free to post in your log or as a note.
Finally, please take a few minutes as well, to stop by the memorial to remember Bondsville’s Heroes. They made the ultimate sacrifice for each of us.
The Cache is a round Altoids Tin, (1/2016 update - now a cammo Match Stick container ) which should be easy to find. Please return things as you find them. Original contents are:
Geo-Bob Geocoin rescued in Denver by my good friend Bhob ( prize for FTF )
2005 Nickel
2005 Quarter
2000 Sacagawea Dollar
Spider Man Pin ( heart shaped ) worn by Cinema workers
Alien (abducted from "GCNH6W In the Tentacles of the Alien")
2 AA Batteries
Log and pencil ( However you may want to bring your own pencil just in case)