The Elwood School building is moved to near Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler. Courtesy Photo BEN WHEELER — The Van Zandt Historical Commission and Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation’s plans to move the former Elwood School building hit a few bumps in the road, but it appears it has reached its final destination.

The old schoolhouse now sits in downtown Ben Wheeler’s historical district on Farm-to-Market Road 858, near Moore’s Store.

In late January, after the Historical Commission asked the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court to approve moving the property from its location between Wills Point and Edgewood.

The appeal stalled because of issues with the school’s deed, entrusted to what today is an inactive Elwood community center. Commissioners were concerned that all entities involved needed to take proper actions to ensure the appropriate owner of the schoolhouse’s deed approved the move.

Those issues have since been resolved, and Johnny Northcutt & Son House Moving began its work in late March.

The Renovation

The plans are two-fold. Half of the building will house a Van Zandt County museum through the Historical Commission. The other part of the building will be home to Half-Pint Books, a children’s library. Half- Price has already donated 1,200 books and several rolling carts to the library and has committed to donating more once the doors of the school are open.

“This will allow a convenient location for those seeking more information about our great county and all of the fascinating, historical memorabilia from our town’s past as well as the surrounding cities’ interesting place in time,” Ben Wheeler Development Company owner Brooks Gremmels said. “This is a great example of how we can make history work for our future.”

The Elwood building, a four-room, woodframe structure, is about 92 years old. It was known as Ellis Chapel before it was renamed Elwood in 1917, when it was consolidated with Woodall School. The other still-standing schoolhouse is in Pleasant Glade, about 20 miles southwest of Canton.

Like other museums, this one will feature loaned exhibits and donated and purchased items.

Visit benwheelertx.com.