Picture Tolland: Back To School, 1860s Style

TOLLAND, CT — Welcome to the Picture Tolland series. The first installment has a back-to-school theme.

At one time, Tolland had 13 schools, according to historical society officials. District 1, known as the "Street" School, was built in 1863 on the site of the current Hicks Municipal Center.

By 1890, four grades were taught on the first floor. Windows were added to the second floor so that Tolland Academy, a private school, could educate grades 5 through 8 there.

In 1908, the school was moved to a temporary location on the Green so the Ratcliffe Hicks Memorial School could be built on the site. The old bell was saved and moved to the new Hicks School, which was built with funds donated by Ratcliffe Hicks along with family contributions.

The original school had 2 classrooms on the first floor, a library and auditorium on the second and was considered a model school in that day.

In 1938, Miss Minnie and Miss Elizabeth Hicks added a new auditorium wing with a gym and library (the original second floor became classrooms).

The one-room school houses in town were gradually being phased out.

From 1946 to 1963, Hicks was the only school in Tolland. Students seeking education beyond Grade 8 went to Rockville or other area high schools. Tolland completed its own high school in 1967.

In 1985, the Hicks building was remodeled to house the town offices and the public library.

The original school spent some time at a local farm, but is now "long gone" society officials said.

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Picture Tolland is periodic look at images of the town, past and present.