TOWN PUMP SCHOOL

Inscription

TOWN PUMP SCHOOL
FOUNDED BY 1880 AS DIST. 7.
AREA WATER PUMP STOOD NEARBY.
RALLY FOR WINFIELD S. HANCOCK
FOR PRESIDENT HELD HERE 1880.
DISTRICT CONSOLIDATED 1950.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2025

Nestled in the town of Ogden and the hamlet of Town Pump, New York, sits an early schoolhouse known as Town Pump School, or District No. 7. It takes its name from a community water pump formerly located across from the school yard. The school was founded by 1880. During the same year, Town Pump School hosted a political rally in support of the former Union general and Civil War hero, Winfield S. Hancock for President of the United States. The school was said to have been “filled to repletion” with Democratic supporters (Union and Advertiser, October 27, 1880). James A. Garfield easily secured the Electoral College vote but narrowly won the popular vote by less than 10,000 votes (Research Guides, n.d.).

The small school housed grade school students and older students were eventually sent to Spencerport or Churchville High Schools. The school board voted to install electricity in the school for $55 in 1925. Town Pump School began holding annual reunions for teachers, schoolmates, and their families the same year. These reunions consisted of a picnic lunch and speeches by former attendees and school leaders. District 7 was consolidated into Churchville-Chili Central School in 1950. The school was sold and transformed into a private residence sometime after this date. As of 2025, it is still a private residence.

Sources:

Research Guides: Presidential Election of 1880: A Resource Guide: Introduction. (n.d.). https://guides.loc.gov/presidential-election-1880

Democratic Rally and Pole Raising at Ogden. (1880, October 27). Union and Advertiser.