Fate of Cranberry’s 150-Year-Old Johnston School House Up in the Air

With the one-room school house falling into disrepair, township officials are considering demolishing the building—unless a better solution is found.

Cranberry Township Historical Society President and local history buff Roy Wagner said hearts are breaking over the one-room Johnston School House on Mars-Criders Road. “When you look at it, it’s in so bad of shape that it will be a monumental task financially even just to stabilize it,” he said. “Moving it is out of the question.” Built in 1851, the red brick building, one of six original schoolhouses in the township, has fallen in to disrepair and has serious structural issues. Wagner said many of the shingles have been blown off the roof. The floor also is sinking in several locations. Although the developers behind the Cranberry Commons shopping center, which is located adjacent to the school’s property, did some exterior work to …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (7)