Dry Cleaner Was a School for More than 100 Years

Several commenters on last week's historical photo challenge correctly identified the location of the photo, but none mentioned the building's original purpose.

The answer is indeed the corner of Route 30 and Frame Avenue, as the first commenter, Jim, pointed out. And it is now the home of Cozy Cleaners, as Laura Thompson noted.

But what did it used to be? It was Chestnut Grove School, according to Tim Caban of the East Whiteland Historical Commission, whence the old photo came to Patch. 

Caban passed along the following excerpt from A Brief History of East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1765-February 26, 1965, by J. Gilmore Wilson (copyright 1965, The Frazer Press):

"In the 1820's the people began to think about building separate school houses at various locations in the township.  These early schools were built of stone, about 20 by 30 or 35 feet with a shed on one end, usually over the entrance.  The last remaining example of these early schools stands at the northwest corner of Lincoln Highway and Frame Avenue.  It was re-roofed and added to by Mr. Elmer Rice several years ago and is now his residence.  This was called the Chestnut Grove School and is recorded as built in 1802 and used as a school until about 1904.  we read that teachers received about $35 a month for a term of eight months and instead of directors, they were operated under trusteeships.  Shortly after Chestnut Grove School was built, Spring Mill, Valley Creek and the Warren School followed, the latter at the junction of Lincoln Highway and 401.

In the early 1850's a Yardley Warren operated a Whiteland Boarding School for girls.  This was located on the north side of the Lincoln Highway, somewhere near the Malin Road."

John Lauber and Version also answered correctly. Sarah Dietrich thought it might be the home at Kings Circle and King Road in Malvern. Sorry, Sarah, that was last week. Thanks to everyone who participated!