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Vandals Break Windows Out Of 1880’s Walnut Hill Log Schoolhouse, ECSO Investigates
June 26, 2024
Someone recently vandalized a log schoolhouse building that dates back over 140 years in Walnut Hill.
Several windows were broken out of the Walnut Hill Schoolhouse, located next to the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, which moved the building to its current location. “This was done so the community could embrace its past and somehow come to understand our humble beginnings. We endeavor to maintain this part of our heritage, so to the person or persons responsible for breaking out the windows of our log schoolhouse please know we do not do this in Walnut Hill.”
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
“It’s about heritage. This log schoolhouse was made a part of the community to educate the earlier children of the area. Children who went on to higher degrees becoming leaders in their community. When it was no longer needed for the children, the log schoolhouse became home to the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club,” current Ruritan Club President Ed Hudson said. ”
History of the Walnut Hill Schoolhouse
The log school, believed to have been built sometime around or just before 1880, was flattened by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The exact construction date of the one-room schoolhouse is unknown because school district records prior to 1880 could not be located. Financial records for the Escambia County School District indicate that William “Uncle Bud” Williams received $40 in April 1880 for “building a new school” and the school received a new heater at the cost of $10 in 1881.
The school was originally located near the corner of the present-day intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97. It was moved to its current location on Highway 97 after the construction of the Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building, in the late 1990’s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Vandals Break Windows Out Of 1880’s Walnut Hill Log Schoolhouse, ECSO Investigates”
Maybe they need to build a old time wood shed behind the school house and teach the younger generation what it was for.
When school is out, vandalism increases…this is a fact of life.It’s a shame that our children aren’t being taught to respect history and private property rights these days.
I’m involved in replacing 5 units at the Davisville Country Store, that were shot out. Senseless.
That building across from the Mennonite school had windows broken out. I suspect not long before that empty, former MMA building will get it.
SW: He wasn’t placing fault, just making an observation. You’d think they’d at least have a dispatch, during working hours,.
BTW, why doesn’t a POLICE station have cameras all around it, outside? You know, facing out, at the other buildings?? Most others do.
MIKE: The day before yesterday, 2 units were there for several hours. They’re there a couple of times a week, but I also see a lot more patrolling and presence lately. BUT ,also alot more crimes. Recently, a couple of kids went to a residence on Deer Creek Rd, stole a 4 wheeler, joy rode all day and returned it, before the owner got home from work. Did that several times, but the owner got wise and set them up. Cops took a couple of days catching them.
A senseless crime like this shows, that this county has outgrown our current jail, a new facility is needed, in the north county, in a location guaranteed to reduce crime, including crimes like these, and put those who have offended, back on the right track.
WHY? This sickens me to see such useless hatred to do such as this.
I hope they brag about it so they can be caught and charged.
People disgust me. Seriously what is the purpose of trying to destroy a piece of history!? Grow up!!
Hey @Mike,
You’d be just as ill if the deputies stayed at the station all the time waiting on the next call, wouldn’t you? “Why weren’t they at ____, instead of hanging around ____?”
It’s not the fault of the sheriff that these vandals did this. It is the fault of the vandals.
Maybe put up cameras?
This sits next door to the CLOSED SHERIFF”S Department SUB STATION……
At least it’s not the original windows those would be pretty much irreplaceable. It’s pretty cool to see old window glass for its not perfectly flat and can have air bubbles throughout and other imperfections. Hopefully they will catch the vandals and make them pay restitution and other community service.