I looked at an old 1872 map of my Town. There were many more schools then than now and ALL within walking distance (A mile at the most). A 20 minute walk. School was not the overwhelming "must" back then and families had common sense.
So true.
In my neck of the farming country in Central NY, there was a little one room schoolhouse practically on every road. Drive around with any old timer and they'll point out which house was originally a school house, or where one used to be. There were a lot more children here back then. Two families could fill one school. Now the children are bussed either 7 or 14 miles away.