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STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION |
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1897 Volume II - School Superintendent Reports |
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TONAWANDA RESERVATION |
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CHARLES C. PARKER, Superintendent |
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It gives me pleasure to have the honor of reporting to you the prosperity of the schools in my charge. It is my belief that they have been more interesting and successful during the past year than in any previous year of their history. From the, beginning of the year it has been my aim to arouse an interest in the children, and the desired result seems to have been accomplished, viz., the greater interest of all concerned-teachers, trustees and parents, as well as children. One reason for this conviction is that parents say that it was difficult to persuade the children to remain at home when they were needed. |
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Arbor Day was observed for the first time, and there seemed to be much interest manifested. The parents furnished the (maple) trees and the children carried them to the school grounds. The large -boys planted the trees, and the girls and small -boys made the flower beds. All seemed to enjoy the work and take special interest in it. |
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The attendance during the past year has been larger than during any previous year, and it would doubtless be increased much more if suitable accommodations were provided. Many of the children have to walk three or four miles to school, and so can not attend in bad weather. They need a schoolhouse nearer at hand. *A suitable building is also needed in district No. 1, where the former schoolhouse burned about six years ago. In this district a small dwelling house is rented for school purposes, but it is not adapted to nor fit for such a purpose. Both these buildings are greatly needed, and should be provided at the earliest possible opportunity. |
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The schools closed on June 25, with union school exercises and a picnic. The large gathering of Indians and visiting whites seemed to enjoy the day, and we were encouraged to hope that still more good may be accomplished during the coming year than in the one just ended. |
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We believe that the advancement of education among the Indian people is the surest means of making them good citizens. |
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* It is hard to determine exactly which school Parker is speaking of as having burned down. |
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There are no deeds to research in the Genesee County Clerks Office for Reservation land in regards to individual properties. The best I can do is show you the location where the maps of 1850, 1866, 1876, and 1904 showed the school houses to be located. From one map to the next however, the previous location for each school is gone. |
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WEST HALF OF THE TOWN OF ALABAMA |
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(The numbers refer to cemetery locations. Please check the cemeteries page for more information) |
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A - On the map of 1850. By 1866 map this is no longer a school house. The map marks it as an "Indian Hut". |
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B - On the 1866 map but gone by 1876. |
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C - On the 1876 map but gone by 1904 map. |
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D - On 1904 map. |
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E - On 1904 map |
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F - On 1904 map. |
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Today the residents of the Tonawanda Reservation are part of the Akron school district. Akron is a village of the town of Newstead in Erie County. |
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For the first Indian school, started by the Baptists in 1828, go to: |
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1st Indian School |
