NAPOLEON - Henry County retired teachers were entertained Monday afternoon by Myrna Grove, author of Legacy of One-Room Schools, a book detailing history of one-room schools across America and particularly in the Midwest.

Grove, a native of Bryan, Ohio, dedicated her book to her mother Florence Stombaugh Grove, who began her 32-year teaching career in 1937 at one-room schools in Williams County.

Grove began her presentation relating how schools were established in the Midwest by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The law to establish schools and provide children a free public education was passed in 1825.

Around 1850, school districts were set up within a boundary of four square miles. This means that a school was located near the district's center, or every two miles in the county. Thus, few students had to go more than a mile to school.

By the early 1900's, there were approximately 12,000 one-room schools in Ohio. By the end of World War II, the number of one-room schools was dwindling for a variety of reasons. One reason was the consolidation of schools to provide better services and facilities for students. Also, much of the population was now living in towns, rather than in the country.

By 1997, the number of one-room schools was down to about 1.600, some of those being the Amish schools and some being in the Western states. By 2005, the number was down to about 400 non-Amish schools, with nearly a fourth of those being in Montana.

Teacher certification has also come a long way. The earliest teachers were qualified after completing eight grades and passing the eight-grade test. By the early 1900's, teachers had to attend a Normal School, a training institution specifically for teachers.

Many remnants of the one-room schools can still be seen in the northwest Ohio region as one drives along the country roads and spots the usually brick buildings.

Approximately 55 members and guests were present for the luncheon event at the Lions-Rotary Building in Oberhaus Park.