Compiled by Anita Grunder, ICC member since 1993
The Early Years
Independent School was part of School District 8 established in 1852. The school was probably on the land across the street to the south of where it is now. The present Independent School building (district #19), on the corner of Airport and Fern Roads, was built in 1918 to 1919 on land donated by Ernest and Anna Seehoffer. Six or eight wells were dug before water was hit. Electricity was not put in until 1939 or 1940. The original one-room school house served not only as a school but also as the social hub of the community with revival meetings, dinners, dances and sing-alongs.
Grades were 1 through 8 and class size from 17 to ~30 with one teacher. Subjects were arithmetic, reading, writing, history and geography. One of the early teachers was John Horner who reputedly would hang misbehaving students by their thumbs. The Horner Museum is named after him. Most of the teachers were women, typically a different one each year. Family names of the students included Wonderly, Chapman, Hendricks, Mann, Edmonton, Buntin, Smith, Carey, Butler, Jorgenson, Avery, Zimmerman, Gainy, Beaucamp, Woodard, Leech, Andicott, Lutin, Mellors, Leen, Covey, Husted, and Butler. “A pretty good bunch of kids”.
Former student Paul Mann remembers standing in the corner most of the time and walking a mile to get to the outside privy. “In the winter our dad would put all of us on our work horse and walk the horse through the snow to the school and return at the end of the day and get us to go home.” Buddy Jorgensen (1932) said: “I sometimes rode a horse to school. There was a little shed for the horses by the school building.” Ken Durrell remembers that every day a different student got to ring the bell and it was a great treat.
In the 1940s, the Independent Community met once a month with refreshments prepared by the Neighborly Neighbors Club, a group of community ladies who sewed, knitted, and raised funds to support charities and, during the war, soldiers kits.
In the 1950s, Inavale School opened and District 19 was consolidated with the Corvallis School District. The Independent School had its last graduation in May 1953. The Independent School house was deeded to the Independent Community Club for one dollar by the Seehoffer Family in 1958. It continued to serve as the hub of social activity with pie socials and pot lucks. About 1952, the back portion was added to the school. It was unfinished and was called the gym. All the while the Neighborly Neighbors continued with good deeds in the community.
In 1954, Articles of Incorporation of Independent Community Club were drawn up to form a non-profit organization. Signees: Darrell Henderson (President), L. V. Butler (Vice President), Nordeen Hodges (Secretary), Harold Couey (Treasurer), Grant Hendricks (Executive).
The school was called Independent Hall, and as it was now available during the day, many the club meetings were held there during the day. Socials, dances and movie showings were in the evenings. A Sunday School held its first service in May 1957 and operated for 12 years.
In 1959, The Neighborly Neighbors Club and the Independent Social Club formally separated, with most families belonging to both. Herbert J Seehafer and Sylvia V Seehofer released their claim to the ICC for the price of one dollar. “This conveyance is made upon the express condition that in the event said premises shall cease to be used or community club purposes or other public purposes continuously for a period of one year, the said premises shall revert to and revest in Herbert J Seehafer, his heirs and assigns.” The community continued involvement in charitable activities (like the march on polio) and social events (holiday parties, 4H meetings, etc.).
The ICC club activity dwindled in the 1970-80s and the building was rented to other users, including a daycare center, two churches and Oregon Tilth. During 1984-1986 Benton County Cultural Resources survey, the Independent School was inventoried (No. 447), and its condition noted as “good”. It is unknown why it was not placed on the county register at that time.
1990’s to Present
The 1990’s saw a revival. Under the leadership of Lea Houston (now Bayles), the Independent Community Club was reinvigorated and a board was established in 1993. Karen Finley and Chris Peterson served on the early interim board. The board established the club as a tax exempt, charitable organization and bylaws were established. Maintenance and repairs of the Independent Schoolhouse had been neglected for some time. The Club members then began to work on a long list of building repairs. With lots of scrubbing and cleaning, work parties and social events, life came back to the building.
Independent Community Club social activities included yoga classes, bake sales, country dances, a Christmas sing along, and a winter’s farmer market. Proceeds from a children’s play Hansel and Gretel were sent to Midwest flood victims. The Club sponsored various workshops- CPR, self-defense, yoga, Chi-Kung, aerobics, quilt-making, African dance, and a winter farmer’s market. A Halloween Party was hosted by ICC Youth, complete with haunted house. In 1999, a Class Reunion Potluck for all former students of the Independent School was held.
In 2012, Independent School (historic name) was added to the Benton County Register of Historic Resources. This was followed by addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Independent Community Center continues to host community events and serve as a place for community members to host their own events. Beginning in 2024, the Center will be available for public rental. Renovation work continues with engineering and fund-raising to restore the bell tower, the front porch, and paint the exterior of the Center. Donations to this project will be gratefully accepted.