Seirer_170424_4015.jpgOui, School is Out The sun sets behind the now-vacant Bichet School, built in 1896 in Marion County to serve the French-speaking families who settled near Florence. The still-solid, one-room school, closed for more than 60 years, could today be a museum had not plans been thwarted by vandals and thieves. Oscar Johnson, a local stonemason of some renown, built Bichet School, serving District 34, in 1896. The symmetrical structure with 18-inch-thick limestone walls includes a single classroom of some 1,000 square feet and is about 30 feet tall, counting the wooden bell tower. Amenities include twin outhouses, also made of stone and located on the opposite corners of the western boundary. And just in case, Johnson crafted a cave storm shelter — stone, again — featuring an arched ceiling. The first teacher (paid $40 a month) taught her lessons in English but her students all were fluent in French. Classes continued for 50 years, until April 19, 1946. The final bell rang for just two students that day – a pair of brothers, one anchoring the third grade class and the other the sixth. Since then, the building sometimes was used for community functions and for a while even served as a headquarters for local motorcycle races. Privately owned, it hasn’t been used in some time but it has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The sun sets behind the now-vacant Bichet School, built in 1896 in Marion County to serve the French-speaking families who settled near Florence. The still-solid, one-room school, closed for more than 60 years, could today be a museum had not plans been thwarted by vandals and thieves. Oscar Johnson, a local stonemason of some renown, built Bichet School, serving District 34, in 1896. The symmetrical structure with 18-inch-thick limestone walls includes a single classroom of some 1,000 square feet and is about 30 feet tall, counting the wooden bell tower. Amenities include twin outhouses, also made of stone and located on the opposite corners of the western boundary. And just in case, Johnson crafted a cave storm shelter — stone, again — featuring an arched ceiling. The first teacher (paid $40 a month) taught her lessons in English but her students all were fluent in French. Classes continued for 50 years, until April 19, 1946. The final bell rang for just two students that day – a pair of brothers, one anchoring the third grade class and the other the sixth. Since then, the building sometimes was used for community functions and for a while even served as a headquarters for local motorcycle races. Privately owned, it hasn’t been used in some time but it has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places.