Carol Fisher-Linn
Buildings tell stories, and these walls are talking….
Historically, life for youngsters in Ellicottville was quite different from how it is today. From the initial founding of Ellicottville, classes were held in homes across the still very wild, unsettled region. Eventually, one-room schoolhouses popped up – 25 of them throughout Cattaraugus County. The students met for three months in summer and three in winter. Now, before any students reading this get a bit envious, they might keep in mind that most walked miles to the local one-room schoolhouses, unless they were lucky enough to have a parent, neighbor, or teacher who would pick them up, sometimes by horse drawn wagon, and even by car in the early 1900’s (although most cars were “put up” for the winter months). The other six months were dedicated to farm chores for most of those children.
From about 1818, in Ellicottville and surrounding communities, classes were held anywhere there were empty spaces, including homes, churches, stores, restaurants, or the courthouse. By 1887 a larger school meant to accommodate all the children was finally built on the remaining corner of the village square. The spot for a school had been reserved by the Holland Land Company when the village was originally designed. The Four Corners was designated for two municipal buildings, one church and one school. By the time the school building was built in 1887, the other three corners were occupied (as well as the school corner, twice), thus completing the Holland Land Company’s plans for a Village Square. They had planned for this square to be in the middle of business activities but the community developed with most of the business enterprises on one side, and residences on the other. Regardless, it became the heartbeat of the village and a pleasant gathering spot, and overnight camping spot for the natives who came to trade or conduct business at the courthouse or in the growing community.
Before this massive building arose, a small building was built in 1824 on the designated lot. The problem was, well, “the problems”. No one recalls now what they were, but divisions occurred, factions split and built schools in other locations. John Thomas in his book, The Four Corners, entertains us with the chaotic scene of one group building a school on the corner of Elizabeth and Adams Street, then Nicholas Devereux purchased the original school and moved it to where Madigan’s is now, converting it to a chapel. It’s amusing to imagine that Madigan’s started as a school and chapel. Apparently yet another group built a school on the north side of Washington Street near Mill.
As with most conflict (we hope) the divided groups joined forces for the greater good and focused their attention on the construction of a new Greek Revival school on the site of the original 1824 school. Over time, that building proved to be too small and was later moved to where the present day Banq Cocktail and Lounge Bar stands, with classes still in session as the new building was constructed in 1887. Since Ellicottville was no longer the County seat, the county jail was disassembled and the stones from the building were carried across the street to serve as the front foundation of the new building. Built in a Romanesque Style of architecture, it remains the only building in the village built in that style. Visitors tend to be drawn to the building because of its unique style with rounded archway over the recessed front entrance and the heavy stone detailing around the windows and doorways.
Eventually, growing populations in both Ellicottville and Great Valley caused yet another need for a school to accommodate the larger numbers of students. In 1978, a new school eventually was established to accommodate both populations on the line between the towns of Ellicottville and Great Valley. And, thanks to the concerned citizens who could not stand by and allow this landmark building to be demolished, they purchased the building. Over time it served as rental spaces, a public library, a public gymnasium, etc. It was bought several times since then and, alas, it is once again on the market to be sold. One can only hope that the integrity of this lovely historic building will remain intact. One local resident expressed the desire to see an International Arts Institute in that venerated building. Imagine Ellicottville being an International Center for the Arts! Suggestions, anyone? Oprah, are you reading this?