The deed on this property is dated May 21, 1849. For the sum of $33, John Huber sold 33 perches of land, neat measure according to the deed, to the Warwick Township School District. It was part of a larger tract that had been owned by Abraham Huber. The sale was recorded on February 20, 1891 in Deed Book M, Volume 13, page 491.
On March 25, 1905 this property was sold to Christian B. Risser for $350. Included was the lot of ground containing 33 perches on which a one and one-half story brick school house was erected. This deed identifies the property as being situated on the public road leading to Brunnerville. It was recorded in Deed Book P, Volume 26, page 460. This deed was not recorded until the property was sold in 1924 when Christian Risser sold the 33 perches to Harry Herr for $1,500. The deed states that the property is now in Lititz Borough but was formerly in Warwick Township. Recording date was on March 31, 1924 in Deed Book P, Volume 26, page 461.
In “A History of Lancaster County Pennsylvania” by H.M.J. Klein (1924) is found that the Warwick village school (a log structure) was known as “Huber’s”. A brick school house was built later (ca 1843) after the free school law was enacted.
In the Lititz Record of January 24, 1924 is an article that relates that the old Huber school house, discontinued as a school house for some years and converted into a dwelling, was bought by Harry Herr from Christ Risser. This agrees with the deed progression above.
There are two Huber schoolhouses. Found in the Lititz Record of November 18, 1926 is the notice for a public sale of two school houses. Owl Hill School is to be sold with 1 acre of land. Huber’s School is to be sold without land.
From the Lititz Record, November 25, 1926: Two school houses sold at the Warwick House on Saturday. Huber’s was sold to U.S. Delp for $375. Mr. Delp owns the land on which the house is erected.
And then in the Lititz Record of September 8, 1927: Avon Kofroth, who bought a former school house near the crossroads at J.C. Brubaker’s farm, is remodeling it into a modern bungalow. It had been owned by U.S. Delp.
The three small paragraphs above did not seem to fit in with any thing I had until I ran across a report in the Lititz Record in the February 24, 1905 paper about a Country Lyceum being held at the Huber’s new school house north of Lititz. Lyceums were gatherings of local and not so local people who would be entertained at no cost. This one consisted of “recitations, with true dramatic effect”, solos, choruses, an orchestra, and a debate between students from F. & M. and the “old ironsides of Warwick”. Being debated was whether “happiness increases with civilization”.
The article helped to clear up my confusion about the Huber School Houses. The new school house was located on what is now Newport Road not so very far from the old Huber School House. It was just up to the crossroads and turn right across the stream and on the north side of the road was the location of the new Huber School House. So far I have been unable to find any land transfers to the Warwick Township School District and back to the private sectors. I believe that the land was loaned for the use of the School District, and remained as part of the larger tract of land.
These two photos (below) were taken in the Spring of 2011 by M. Xakellis.
