The Old Schoolhouse (and more) in Moorestown, Missaukee County

Visiting Michigan’s obscure small towns is becoming more and more popular with roadtrippers, adventurers, and videographers. I enjoy seeing the old buildings and maybe discovering a little history.

In Missaukee County is the small town of Moorestown, and the old downtown is hardly a downtown at all. A few former storefronts are either a residence, empty, or non-existent. Downtown Moorestown does have a classic church on one end, and on the other end is a cool old schoolhouse, which looks like it could currently be a residence. As far as downtown traffic, forget it. It’s just a straight highway drive-thru.

Outside of town on the east side is a party/general store to get some snacks but that’s just about the only public business in Moorestown.

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The village was founded in 1881 by J. Henry Moores, who spent the mid-1800s logging on the Clam River. It started out as a lumber camp but turned into a full-fledged village.

The old schoolhouse outside of town was called the Hunt Schoolhouse and in 1915 it boasted a student body of ten kids. It’s estimated that it closed up sometime around 1956.

Norwich Township has its town hall in Moorestown, not far from the church. This township is one of the few double-sized townships that are left in Michigan, with an area measuring 6 X 12 square miles. Seemingly out of character for such a secluded community, Moorestown has its own airport that sees many visitors during the summer months.