Historic School in Havertown Could Bite the Dust

516 S. Eagle Rd. in Havertown, built in 1883 as “Public School No. 2.” | Google Street View image

One of the oldest schoolhouses in Delaware County could cease to exist, depending on who buys it at an auction scheduled for tomorrow evening in Haverford Township.

The building at 516 S. Eagle Rd. in Havertown looks like just another small single-family cottage home. But it was built in 1883 as “Public School No. 2.”

The Delaware County Daily Times reports that the one-acre lot containing the school and two accessory buildings will be auctioned off to the highest bidder tomorrow (June 27th) at 7 p.m. at the township building, located at 2325 Darby Rd. in Havertown.

The schoolhouse served that function for only 13 years. It was sold in 1896 and converted to residential use along with a carriage house and barn.

Its most recent owner, a World War II Navy veteran named Wesley Schwarz, bequeathed the property to the Haverford Township Historical Society upon his death in 2012. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the society.

The Haverford Township Historical Resources Survey describes all the buildings on the site as “in a very poor state of repair, with the carriage house and barn in ruins.”

The Haverford Township Historical Society already owns and maintains the oldest school house in the township, the 1797 Federal School on Darby Road. Fourth graders attending public schools in the township spend a day at the school as part of their classes.

The Haverford Township commissioners scheduled the auction after consulting with the Historical Society and receiving its approval. The auction proceeds will go towards the maintenance and improvement of other historic structures the society owns.

The only restriction attached to the deed is that the land may be subdivided into no more than two lots. None of the structures enjoy historic designation or protection.

Haverford Township to auction historic property (Daily Times)