Return to Platte Co. Home Page | Walker TownshipFIRST STUCCO SCHOOL BUILDING IN PLATTE COUNTY IS DEDICATED IN DISTRICT NO. 57 With exercises appropriate to the occasion, the new school house in District No. 57 in Walker township, the first school building of stucco construction in Platte county, was dedicated Wednesday afternoon, and christened the "Victory school." It was erected by the people of the district last summer at a cost of $6,760, and has been in use several months. Not only was it built in accordance with the state standards for rural schools, but it is equipped in the most approved manner, contains several new and unique features, and presents an exceptionally splendid appearance. In choosing stucco for the exterior finish, the building committee realized that, while the first cost would be greater than wood, it would be more beautiful, last longer and be more economical in the long run.
The building is 40 by 32 feet in dimensions has a 12-foot ceiling and a full basement with an 8-foot ceiling. The doors are of oak, and the windows open on rollers. Besides a well-appointed class room, it contains a library and reading room, a frost-proof closet for the children's dinner pails, a kitchenette with a serving window, a store room, and a play room for the children which may also be used for community meetings if desired. An outside entrance gives access to the basement without going through the school room. Space is also provided for an indoor toilet when a system adaptable to rural schools is perfected. Claus Anderson, of Newman Grove, was the contractor.
First Classes in Sod House.
District 57 was formed on March 6, 1878, and until the first building was erected the classes were held in the sod house of a pioneer family. Daniel Wenrick, W.J. Waynard and Thomas Holding were the first board. Among the early teachers were Mrs. Ella Newman, of Columbus, and Major John Maher, of Lincoln. In speaking of the early history of the district at the dedicatory exercises Wednesday afternoon, County Superintendent Lecron related the following interesting facts:
"The first school was taught in the home of Daniel Wenrick by his daughter, Alice, now Mrs. A. Shade, of Madison. She taught two terms of three months each, receiving $20 per month for her work. A new school house was built in the center of the district in 1880, the first teacher in the new building being Miss Ella Wenrick, now Mrs. Ella Newman, of Columbus. Mrs. Newman gives us the following account of the early school days within her father's home during the time the school was taught by herself and her sister, Alice:
"'Our father's home was a sod house much the same as other homes of the early settlers in Walker township, the home being divided into two compartments, sleeping rooms, and one large room which served the purpose of kitchen, living room and dining room. It was within this room, surrounded with crude kitchen utensils of the early settler, that the first school was taught in District 57. Each day the children would seat themselves around our dining room table which served the purpose of a desk for all. Heated from the warmth of our kitchen stove and lighted by the dim light from the deep sod window casings, they studied and recited their lessons, while the usual routine of baking, churning, etc., were conducted by my mother in other parts of the room.'
"As stated, Mrs. Newman taught the first two terms in the first real school house of the district. She says that all coal as well as supplies for the entire neighborhood were brought from Columbus. In the severe winter of 1880 the trip to Columbus was made impossible by the deep snows which fell in October and remained until late spring. During this time corn was burned for fuel, and on two occasions it was necessary for pupils and teacher to remain in the building over night on account of blinding snows and severe cold of the blizzards of the winter.
"The early settlers who endured the hardships of droughts and grasshoppers, but were strong in the faith and kindled with the burning desire to give their children a common school education, have gone to their reward; some of the early teachers are now grandparents, and the present generation is struggling with the problems of the day. But the pluck of the early settlers, their ability to withstand hardships and adversities, have borne fruit and today we stand within the portals of this modern school building which shall always be a monument to their early efforts in making the once cold and desolate prairies to bloom like a rose and become the great bread-basket of the world, where peace and plenty abide at all times."
Dedication Program
The program at the dedicatory exercises included the singing of "America," by the audience which filled the school to capacity; the history of the district, by Superintendent Lecron; a health talk, by County Nurse Grace A. Hanly; a song, by the school children; addresses by Rev. C. Hellekson, Superintendent Bailey of Newman Grove and George Lymath, and a song by Miss Grace Nelson.
Miss Hanly told of the development of the school nurse program by the Red Cross and its efforts to promote the health of the nation by eliminating curable defects in children. The kiddies should be given health examinations once a year, she said, and should be encouraged to develop proper health habits. She told of some of the more common defects found, and the results if they are neglected. Rev. Hellekson spoke on "The Importance of Civic and Religious Education and Their Relationship to Each Other," developing the thought that the children should be educated in heart as well as in mind. Superintendent Bailey discussed the Smith-Towner bill and set forth its advantages for the rural districts. Mr. Lymath spoke in interesting manner of the early history of the school.
At the conclusion of the program the ladies of the district under direction of a committee composed of Mrs. A.E. Hammer, Mrs. N.J. Nelson and Mrs. G.O. Qualset, served a delicious banquet for all in attendance.
Members of the school board of District 57 are E.W. Hammer, director; J.S. Flanders, moderator; F.J. Hobel, treasurer, and Miss Stella Qualset is the teacher.
The committee which had charge of the erection of the building was composed of G.O. Qualset, F.J. Hobel and N. Heckerson.[The Columbus Telegram, February 4, 1921]