Remarkable Ohio

Counties

Below is a complete listing of all Ohio Historical Markers. To find a detailed marker listing including text, photographs, and locations, click on a county below. Our listing is updated by the markers program as new markers are installed and older markers are reported damaged or missing.

4-75 Wenger One Room School Dinsmore District #4

Side A: Dinsmore Township School District #4 was formed in 1865following a decision by the township’s board of education that a school would be built in the center of every four sections of land, or every four square miles. This placement of school buildings gave township children the opportunity to attend school close to home and the chance at receiving a public education up to the eighth grade, Nine districts were created for the children of white households, and an additional district was formed to educate the children of the African American families, for a total of ten districts in the township. On June 11, 1866, the Dinsmore Township School Board purchased land from George Wenger to build the District #4 school near the intersection of Ohio Route 274 and Wenger Road. (Continued on other side)
Side B: (Continued from other side) The first hewed log and framed one-room school building was soon constructed, and 56 children began attending the Dinsmore Township School #4 in 1866. In 1870 the Dinsmore Township School Board abolished school segregation, and in 1875 closed the school for African American children. The brick one room school was built in 1887. The Dinsmore Township School #4 educated students from 1866-1925 (59 years). On September 28, 1926 the Botkins Special School District sold the school house to John Wenger for $200. On April 22, 2010, Bill and Bonnie Elsass had the school moved one and a half miles to this present location where it has been restored for all to visit and enjoy.
Sponsors: EUGENE P. ELSASS FAMILY RICHARD K. ELSASS FAMILY NORMAN W. ELSASS FAMILY MARY JO (ELSASS) RABERDING FAMILY THE OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Address: 11385 Amsterdam Rd, 
Anna, 
OH, 
45302
Location: Wenger School House
Latitude: 40.4237950
Longitude: -84.2134020