History of Location:
This is the location of Wharton's first three public school buildings. In 1867 a one-room school was built here. The Port Oram School district at that time was known as district #9, Randolph Township. It was replaced in 1882 by a two-story frame building with four rooms. When a shortage of classroom space occurred due to the growth of the community, some pupils were moved to the top floor of the three-story building at 2-4 South Main Street. The 1882 building was moved about 1903 to the corner of West Central Avenue and Robert Street to become the municipal building.
The third school here was a 10-room brick building built about 1903. After the death of Erastus E. Potter, Port Oram's beloved citizen and school principal in 1906, the new school became known as "The Potter School".
