Auburn, New Hamsphire Schoolhouses
Schoolhouse #1
Above photo taken in 2020 by Deb Mancini
School House #1 was originally #3 when Auburn was still part of Chester. Situated on Chester Road (near the south end of Bunker Hill Road), it was built to replace an older school around 1815. In 1857, it was moved across the street and remodeled for a cost of $225.
In 1856, the teacher received $2.50 a week and by 1916, the pay went up to $8.25 a week. In the 2nd half of the 19th century, the school was in attendance for 18-24 weeks a year. Due to low salaries, eighty different teachers taught at this schoolhouse over a period of 84 years. In 1940, the schoolhouse was badly damaged in a fire and closed. It was repaired and became a private residence. As of 2024, it still stands today on 729 Chester Road.
Above: Photo of schoolhouse #1 (date unknown).
Schoolhouse #2
Above photo of schoolhouse #2 taken in 2020 by Deb Mancini
Schoolhouse #2 was originally #5 when Auburn was still part of Chester. In 1857, neighbors built this schoolhouse to replace the one built in 1808 that was in disrepair. The new 1857 schoolhouse cost $647.
The number of students who attended in the years after 1860 fluctuated between a high of 32 some years to less than 10 in others. The school closed in 1921. As of 2024, this house was still standing. It has been heavily renovated and is now a private residence at 132 Wilson’s Crossing, just north of the intersection of Wilson’s Crossing, Pingree Hill and Spofford Road.
Schoolhouse #3
Above photo of Auburn Villlage School was taken in 2024 by Deb Mancini
Schoolhouse #3 - The Auburn Village School was schoolhouse #9 when Auburn was part of Chester. In 1827, the schoolhouse was built where 10 Eaton Hill Road is today. The cost was $210.63.
In 1857, a new school was built in its place for $1000 and included settees, blackboards and other teaching necessities. In 1947, a brick structure was built across the road, replacing the wooden schoolhouse. Major renovations were made to the school in 1956 and again in 2018.
Above: photo of schoolhouse #3 in 1889
Schoolhouse #4
Above: An illustration by Carl Cheswell Forsaith of what a schoolhouse may have looked like in the 1800's. From the book "Auburn, New Hampshire" by Carl Cheswell Forsaith, 1970.
Schoolhouse #4 was originally # 11 when Auburn was still part of Chester. It was near the intersection of Pingree Hill Road and Steam Mill Road.
Although the frame of the school was built a few years before, it was not until 1817 that funds were raised and neighbors finished building the schoolhouse for $109.15. The number of pupils fluctuated between a high of 38 in 1856 and a low of 4 in 1904.
Between 1856 and 1920, 40 teachers remained for only 1 or 2 years each. This school closed in 1927. No old photos have been found of this school and the building is no longer in existence.
Schoolhouse #5
Above: Photo taken of schoolhouse #5 in 2020 by Deb Mancini
The Bunker Hill Schoolhouse #5 was originally #15 when Auburn was part of Chester. In 1815, the original school was in poor condition and was sold to Pike Chase for $6. He moved it further downhill and used it as a sheep barn.
A new school was built at a cost of $158.44. It was “modernized” in 1851 for $175.00. Eighty years later, old seats were replaced with movable furniture and the cast-iron stove was jacketed. In 1940 the school closed. As of 2024, the old schoolhouse is now a private residence at 353 Bunker Hill Road (on the corner of Dearborn Road).
A new school was built at a cost of $158.44. It was “modernized” in 1851 for $175.00. Eighty years later, old seats were replaced with movable furniture and the cast-iron stove was jacketed. In 1940 the school closed. As of 2024, the old schoolhouse is now a private residence at 353 Bunker Hill Road (on the corner of Dearborn Road).
Above: Photo of Schoolhouse #5 taken in 1851
Schoolhouse #6
Above: #6 Schoolhouse in 1889
The number 6 schoolhouse was number 15 when Auburn was part of Chester. In 1813, the first schoolhouse was built near the mile marker on the corner of Dearborn and Raymond Road. In 1856 the town purchased land on Raymond Road between Chester Turnpike and Dearborn Road and built a new #6 school, also called Mosquito Brook School. Amherst Coult provided the frame and the total construction cost was $285.00. The school closed in 1919 and the building is no longer in existence.
Above: The inside of schoolhouse # 6, also known as Mosquito Brook School. The stove was dated "1843"
Schoolhouse #7
Above: Schoolhouse #7 in 1898
Schoolhouse #7 was once #16 when Auburn was part of Chester. It was located near the corner of Hooksett and Old Candia Road. Neighbors built the schoolhouse in 1828 and the cost was $216. In 1931, the stove was jacketed but the following year, the students were transported to the Severance School. Eventually, the schoolhouse was cut in half with a bandsaw and moved to a new location on Hooksett Road south of Depot Road. The building burned down in 1989.
Above: Schoolhouse #7 in the 1920's
Schoolhouse #8
Above: Photo of schoolhouse #8 taken in 2020 by Deb Mancini
Schoolhouse #8 was originally #20 when Auburn was part of Chester. It was built by local inhabitants in 1806 on the corner of Fox Lane and Londonderry Turnpike. The town contributed $50 and the neighbors provided the rest. George Spofford attended here and won 3 awards in one year: perfect attendance, refraining from whispering and one for marked improvement in spelling. The school closed about 1910 and (as of 2024) the building still stands today.
Above: Photo of schoolhouse # 8 taken in 1878
The Severance School
Above: Photo of the Severance School taken in 2024 by Deb Mancini
As the population of Auburn grew, it became obvious that more classroom space was needed. Voters had to decide whether to remodel some of the older school facilities or build a new one. The latter was decided and in 1921, a new 2 room schoolhouse was built near the lake on what is now 515 Manchester Road. The cost was $1,000. The building was used as a school until 1956. After that it was used by Fish and Game and then served as a Baptist Church in the 1980’s. When Manchester Water Works purchased the building in 2018, they restored the name of the original schoolhouse. Currently, (2024) the Auburn Parks and Rec uses this facility for classes and meetings.
Above: The Severance School and students (date unkown)