The first schoolhouse in Canton Center, called the Old Red School, was built in 1749. It was used until 1847, when it was moved to Collinsville and became a saloon. The building of a replacement was delayed by an argument over where to place the new school. The district was therefore divided into the Center and South Center districts. The South Center School House was built across the street from the Canton Center Congregational Church in 1848. The Center (also known as the North Center or Sisson) District School was erected in 1849 at 135 West Road. The schoolhouse was in used until 1942, when the Cherry Brook School was opened. The old school was then converted into a five-room residence by Mortimer R. Bristol (1892-1972).

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Canton Center Schoolhouse (1849)