Schools & Education
Buffalo’s first schoolhouse was built in 1807. The funds to build the schoolhouse were donated by the generous townspeople. The school was built on the corners of Pearl and Swan streets. Unfortunately the schoolhouse burned down in 1831. The second schoolhouse to be built was the Cold Spring School. This was built on west Utica and Main streets. At this point in history, parents provided the fuel for heating the school and all the cleaning services in exchange for their children’s education. The first school teacher in the Cold Spring Schoolhouse was Professor Sturgeon. He was an arrogant Scotsman. He would only teach his students one subject as he felt if he taught any more, the children would surpass their parents. He felt that a child knowing more than their parent was improper.