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A.O. Carlson
This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Mason County Historical Society
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
S.A. Louden
SCOTTVILLE — As Mason County Central prepares to interview finalists Monday for its next superintendent — a decision expected Monday, May 18 by the Board of Education — the district stands at another turning point in a school history that stretches back nearly 140 years. Superintendent Jeff Mount is retiring June 30 after 20 years leading the district and 27 years total with MCC. The district’s next superintendent will become part of a lineage that began when Scottville School first opened its doors in the 19th century.
The timing of the search also comes during another emotional moment in local educational history: the demolition of the historic Scottville schoolhouse on North Main Street. As crews began tearing down the 137-year-old structure this spring, local officials announced several hundred bricks would be preserved and made available to the public so residents could retain a physical connection to the school that educated generations of Mason County students.
E.W. Kiebler
The old school building represented far more than brick and mortar. Built in 1888, it became the center of Amber Township School District No. 6 — commonly known as Scottville School — and later served Mason County Central students until the district’s middle school opened in 1976. Additions in 1903, 1911 and 1927 reflected the district’s continued growth as the community evolved from a lumber town into an agricultural and educational center.
According to a 1917 Scottville Enterprise history and a 1928 Ludington Daily News special edition, the roots of organized education in Scottville date to 1877, when residents established the original district. The first frame schoolhouse was built in 1878 before the larger brick schoolhouse replaced it a decade later.
Fred A.N. Bailey
By the late 1920s, Scottville School had developed into one of western Michigan’s premier rural school systems. A 1928 Ludington Daily News article described modern science laboratories, commercial classrooms, music instruction, athletics, debate teams and an auditorium-gymnasium that served both the school and the broader community. The school maintained accreditation through the University of Michigan and prided itself on preparing students for both college and vocational careers.
The district’s first superintendent was Russell Parker, who served from 1888 to 1889. He was followed by Edward Payson Bidwell in 1890 and Florence A. Smith from 1891 to 1894, among the earliest female administrators in local educational history.
Raymond Lane
Sylvester Alonzo Louden, superintendent from 1896 to 1897, became one of Scottville’s earliest long-serving educators. Beyond administration, Louden taught in Scottville schools for years beginning his service in Mason County as Victory Township school commissioner. Born in Ohio in 1866, Louden eventually returned to Scottville after living in South Dakota and elsewhere in Michigan. He died in Scottville in 1953 and was buried at Brookside Cemetery.
The district entered the 20th century under leaders such as Don Juan Harrington, who served from 1905 to 1910 before continuing his educational career in Albion, and Emmett William Kiebler, superintendent from 1910 to 1916. Kiebler later became known statewide as a science educator, author and local historian. After leaving Scottville, he was a professor at Michgian Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). In 1961, former students gathered in Scottville to honor him for the influence he had on generations of pupils.
Fred A.N. Bailey led the district from 1917 to 1920 before moving to Muskegon. Raymond Earl Lane followed from 1920 to 1922 and later became a superintendent in the Lansing area.
Max Brail
One of the district’s most respected educators was Ellsworth George Holmes, superintendent from 1923 until shortly before his death in 1926. Holmes had already spent decades leading schools in Bear Lake and St. Charles before arriving in Scottville. He resigned because of failing health and died later that year in Lansing. His son, Dr. Herbert G. Holmes, later became a longtime Scottville physician and school board member.
The district continued expanding under Max Arthur Brail, superintendent from 1927 to 1934. During Brail’s tenure, Scottville School modernized its curriculum and expanded extracurricular programs. A 1925 newspaper article noted the school board raising additional revenue to support construction and educational improvements. Brail also hired a young principal named Arnold O. Carlson in 1927 — a decision that would permanently shape education in Mason County.
Richard Weaver
Carlson became superintendent in 1935 and remained in charge until 1967, first at Scottville School and later at Mason County Central following consolidation. More than any other individual, Carlson became identified with the movement to reorganize and modernize Mason County schools.
During the mid-20th century, many rural one-room school districts struggled financially and educationally. Carlson championed consolidation as a way to provide stronger academic opportunities, expanded athletics, modern transportation and improved facilities. His 1941 University of Michigan master’s thesis, “A Study of School Organization in Mason County, Michigan,” helped lay the groundwork for countywide school reorganization.
Robert Redmond
In 1955, Amber Township School District No. 6 consolidated with neighboring districts to create Mason County Central School District, with Carlson serving as the new district’s first superintendent. The consolidation transformed public education in the eastern portion of Mason County and established the district that still exists today.
Carlson’s successors guided MCC through decades of growth and modernization. Richard C. “Dick” Weaver (1928-2020) served from 1967 to 1987 and oversaw a major era of district development. He was followed by Robert Redmond from 1987 to 1992, Bruce Smith from 1992 to 1999 (Smith served as high school from 1978 to 1992) and Chuck Sandro from 1999 to 2006.
Bruce Smith
Jeff Mount became superintendent in 2006. During his tenure, the district completed multiple facility projects and continued long-range planning while maintaining its identity as a community-centered school district. Earlier this year, Mount announced his retirement, setting in motion the current superintendent search.
Now, as the old Scottville schoolhouse disappears brick by brick, Mason County Central prepares to begin another chapter with new leadership. The demolition marks the end of the physical structure that housed generations of students and educators, yet the effort to preserve bricks from the building reflects how deeply the school remains tied to the community’s identity.
On Monday evening, district residents will gather once again at MCC High School as the Board of Education interviews superintendent finalists Jeff Tuka and Jason O’Dell. Nearly 140 years after Russell Parker became the first superintendent of Scottville School, Mason County Central is preparing to welcome another leader into a long and influential educational tradition.
Superintendents
Amber Township School District No. 6, Scottville
- Russell Parker, 1888-1889
- Edward Payson Bidwell, 1890
- Florence A. Smith, 1891-1894
- Henry Williams, 1895
- Sylvester Alonzo Louden, 1896-1897
- R.C. Young, 1898-1904
- Don Harrington, 1905-1910
- Emmett William Kiebler, 1910-1916
- Fred A.N. Bailey, 1917-1920
- Raymond Earl Lane, 1920-1922
- Ellsworth Grove Holmes, 1923-1926
- Max A. Brail, 1927-1934
- Arnold O. Carlson, 1935-1955
Mason County Central School District
- Arnold O. Carlson, 1955-1967
- Richard Weaver, 1967-1987
- Robert Redmond, 1987-1992
- Bruce Smith, 1992-1999
- Chuck Sandro, 1999 to 2006
- Jeff Mount, 2006-2026
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Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake; filercu.com; 800.595.6630
The Mason County Historical Society is a non-profit charitable organization that was founded in 1937 that does not receive any governmental funding. It owns and operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, Historic White Pine Village in Pere Marquette Township, and The Rose Hawley Archives and the Mason County Emporium and Sweet Shop in downtown Ludington.
For more information about donating to and/or joining the Mason County Historical Society, visit masoncountymihistory.org.
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