McKenzie Schoolhouse: Two Brothers, One Schoolhouse and Years of Memories

I referenced a photo I found of an old water pump that sits on the original of the McKenzie Schoolhouse, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. In today's blog post, I will provide additional details about the McKenzie Schoolhouse and it's wonderful history and connection to my McKenzie family.

Jeremiah McKenzie and Family

Jeremiah McKenzie was born on April 15, 1842, in Blenheim, Ontario, Canada to Donald S. McKenzie and his first wife Mary Moore. Mary (Moore) McKenzie passed away in 1847.
Jeremiah immigrated from Canada to northern Michigan in the late 1880s. On October 18, 1888, Jeremiah was deeded land through the homestead act. He was deeded 160 acres by President Glover Cleveland for his military service.

On February 3, 1893, Jeremiah married Ella Powell. they had six children: Mary, Katheryn, Russell, Oscar, Elliott, and Hubert.

Land patent for Jeremiah McKenzie
Land deed for Jeremiah McKenzie

In 1848, Donald married Sarah Marie Biggar. They had eight children. One of these children was Alexander Orlando McKenzie, who is my 2nd great grandfather.

Alexander also immigrated from Canada to Northern Michigan in the late 1880s, making his home in Montmorency county on the adjoining property to his half brother Jeremiah.

On March 22, 1889, Alexander married Mary Anna Faught. From this union were born eight children.

  • George
  • Joseph
  • Orlie
  • Olive
  • Oral
  • Lawrence
  • Cora
  • Edward
Alexander Orlando McKenzie
1903 Plat Map showing property of Jeremiah and Alexander McKenzie in Montmorency County, Michigan
Jeremiah McKenzie Homestead
McKenzie Homestead - Hossler Rd. Atlanta, Montmorency, Michigan
Most likely around the year 1900, Jeremiah and Alexander worked together to build a schoolhouse for their children on what is now called Baker Rd. This schoolhouse would soon become to be called the McKenzie schoolhouse after the men that built it.
A well was drilled for the schoolhouse by a Mr. Dogan, who used a team of small horses to work the drill. The team walked round and round in a circle to provide the "horsepower" necessary to motivate the drill.
I believe that photo I found is of a water pump that is located at the spot where this well was drilled.
In 1937, the schoolhouse was converted for use as the Pine Tree Grange Hall. The woodshed was enlarged and remodeled to provide kitchen facilities for the Grange Hall.
Water pump at the original location of the McKenzie Schoolhouse in Atlanta, Montmorency, Michigan

In 1983, the McKenzie schoolhouse was moved from its location on Baker Rd to the county fairgrounds in Atlanta, Montmorency, Michigan.

News articles about the moving of McKenzie Schoolhouse in 1983
News articles about the moving of McKenzie Schoolhouse in 1983

The restoration of the schoolhouse was complete with the addition of a new belfry which holds the original bell from the schoolhouse.

The schoolhouse is now used as a museum and a home based for the Montmorency County Historical Society.
First, I would like to save a big Thank You! to Joeann Comber for providing me with so much wonderful information about the McKenzie family, including the news articles that I have included in this blog post.
The McKenzie schoolhouse played an important part in my family's history and I am proud that it now still plays an important part in the life of Montmorency County.
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