Huff School
This school began in 1851 when it was established at the same time and next door to Fairplains Cemetery.
It was located at the northwest corner of Knapp Street and Fuller Avenue (then called Warren). It was called Knapp School.
As it was across the street from the Knapp farm and Mr. Knapp was the treasurer for Fairplains Cemetery, it is logical to assume he was an early school board member too.
The location and outline of this school is on the plat map for Fairplains
Cemetery.
The 1850 U. S. Census shows an entry in Grand Rapids Township for Mr. E. M. Knapp born 1820 along with his wife Mary, a boy J. M. born c. 1841 and a daughter Betsy born c. 1843 all born in New York. It also shows a neighbor, Mr. Tucker, whose name is also mentioned on the plat for Fairplains Cem.
An early photo of this school from the Grand Rapids Historical Society website shows some tombstones to the left rear of the school.
The link: The First Huff School
The 1860 U. S. Census entry for the Knapp family shows that a school teacher, Miss Jennie Judson, also born in New York, is living with them.
This land area was annexed to the City of Grand Rapids in 1924 but excluded the school somehow or the school was moved. By the time a new school was built on Ball Avenue it was renamed Huff. It burned in 1933 and a new brick building was constructed. It remained a township school until it was again annexed by the City in the 1960's.
28 January 1935
Vernon Huff, unmarried, and Saphrona Huff
To
School District Number 7, Grand Rapids Township
Consideration. $1.00
Description
Commencing at a point 495 feet South of the center
of the West boundary of Section 9 T7N R11W
(There is an error in the description plus it is degrees and minutes.
Basically it is an acre with a strip reserved for a street)
The land the school had stood on at the corner of Fuller and Knapp was deeded to the City of Grand Rapids and is now part of Fairplains Cemetery.
29 Dec 1948
School District #7, Grand Rapids Township, Kent County, Michigan
To
The City of Grand Rapids, a Municipal Corporation, of 35 Lyon Street, Grand
Rapids, Michigan
Liber 1458, Page 294:
Consideration. $1.00
Description:
Part of SW 1/4 of Section 8 T7NR11W
commencing 50' West and 100' North of SE corner of SW 1/4
thence North 64',
thence West 224',
thence East 55'
and thence Northeasterly 85' to beginning,
situated in (Section 8) Grand Rapids Township, Kent County, Michigan.
Clinton A. Jones, Director; Leonard Blackwell, Moderator;
Claude H. Stadt Treasurer, School District #7
Grand Rapids Press 26 Mar 1998 - bond issue proposal
Huff Elementary
2286 Ball Ave NE
264 students, 12 teachers
Built; 1934, addition in 1955
Existing square feet: 35,100
Square feet of new school: 38,300
Cost: $6.1 million
Highlights: a $4.1 million new school to be built just south of the existing
shool, the old school will e demolished; $80,000 to relocate the playground; and
$10,000 for computers and video equipment
From Article School History
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info