ONONDAGA — Built in 1874, the old Onondaga Central School house on highway 54, had its day as a rural school many years ago. It was later converted into the former Onondaga Township Hall, but in time, that too became obsolete by todays standards. In the meantime, the Onondaga Fire Service built temporary buildings behind the old school to house their equipment, which has also become obsolete.
Despite valiant efforts by some Onondaga area residents and historical preservationists, the inevitable happened last week when Brant County Council ordered its demolition to make room for a brand new Onondaga Fire Hall. Many important artifacts from the 1870’s have been preserved in the building’s demolition including the old bell which sat voiceless in the tower for several decades before being enshrined on a pedestal in front of the school recently. The venerable old cast iron school bell now sits crated in front of the remains of the school house, protected by concrete barriers.
