This photograph dating to mid-1800s depicts the Old North End School in Concord. Known as the Bell School, it was located on the southwest corner of North State Street and Church Street. Concord Public Library

When the first settlers arrived in our little town their priorities were quite simple, prepare for the winter ahead to ensure survival. Land was cleared, crops planted, trees harvested for building shelters and firewood. The thought of a delicacy such as formal education was not in their thoughts until a few years later. Garrisons were constructed and a meeting house built down on the west side our present day North Main Street. This crude building was utilized for shelter, town meetings, church services and school.

The Massachusetts Bay Colony granted the land known as Concord in 1725 and named it Pennycook Plantation. As the settlers started to arrive in 1727 the name was changed to Rumford in 1733 and then to Concord in 1765.

As the years passed and our little community started to grow there were more children. Many additional children in need of food and shelter, the children were expected to contribute in the fields, on the farms and anywhere else an additional hand was required. Most of the children were being schooled at home with the basics when they were not working during the planting and harvest seasons. The community was growing concerned with a limited school system and plans were made to construct buildings for the sole use of education.

In the north end of Concord there were a series of early buildings utilized as schools in primarily the same location, the southwest corner of North State and Church Streets. This location is the lot known as the Rollins Mansion or St. Peter’s Rectory building. There were two known buildings on this lot constructed for the education of local children. It is the third school built on this site that created a sense of controversy amongst the people living in our community.

The new school was constructed on the same lot as the prior schools and named the Bell School. The school was built in 1820 and known far and wide as the most extravagant school our ancestors ever saw. The citizens living in the north end district of Concord were quite pleased with the modern structure that would educate their children in the coming years. Unfortunately, the remainder of the citizens were far more concerned about the cost of building the school, the impact on local taxes and the unfairly inadequate school houses in other parts of the city during this period. The lot was owned by the town with a history of prior use for school houses, plans were made and the material acquired. Some fine craftsmen were hired and the foundation was set in place. Progress was slow but steady as the foundation was completed, the building was framed and siding added. The roof was completed and real glass windows were installed, the type of windows that allow much natural light to filter into the classrooms. Once the building was completed there was landscaping and a grand opening was planned. Unlike prior school years those north end children grandly awaited the start of school in 1820.

With much attention to the extravagance there were concerns harbored by the Concord Building Committee. Would the budget support the opening of the Bell School and how would they be perceived within the community? The building was not quite completed and the debt was still owed to the tradesmen when Captain Joseph Walker approached Judge George W. Nesmith and asked for the keys to the Bell School. Judge Nesmith was the first assigned to keep school in the new building while Captain Joseph Walker was a member of the Concord Building Committee.

Judge Nesmith gladly handed the school keys to Captain Walker assuming there were some last-minute matters with the construction. The judge assumed the keys would be returned the very next day. A day passed without the keys being returned to Judge Nesmith, then a second day passed too. Judge Nesmith was growing concerned about the keys not being returned and decided he would pay a visit to Captain Walker for discussion the following day.

Judge Nesmith awoke early and walked to the City Hall to meet with Captain Walker and the Concord Building Committee. He anticipated the matter was simply an oversight and would be remedied quickly. He politely asked for the keys to the Bell School and was informed by Captain Walker the Concord Building Committee decided to keep possession of the keys as well as the school house until the last of the invoices were paid.

In the coming weeks prior to the grand opening of the Bell School House the tradesmen were compensated and the keys eventually returned to Judge Nesmith.

In the year 1875 the Walker School was constructed and the Bell School was permanently closed. Governor Rollins eventually built his mansion on the lot, where it stands to this very day in pristine condition after being renovated by the Potter family last year.

Sometimes the price of education is costly, this state-of-the-art school house constructed in 1820 was certainly expensive and a concern for the people during this era. Limited education with inadequate schools was deemed a very sad price to pay. Yes, the Bell School opened and the future of quality schools in Concord ensured to this present day.

Vintage Views is a local history column that explores Concord and its surrounding towns. It runs every week in the Sunday Your Life section. The author is a historian and not a member of the Monitor’s staff.

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