Historic Oconto County, WI school buildings.

Every Year Improvements Made
at Hickory Rural Grade School

Hickory School District was set up as a school district October, 1871, as District Number 5, Town of Gillett. The first school board was Lorenzo Lord clerk, Thomas McMahon director, and George Trecartin treasurer. At the first school meeting $150.00 was voted to build a school house. During the time it look to build the school building. Mrs. Lorenzo Lord taught the few children in the district in small log building owned by Stephen May, one mile south of Hickory. She rode on horseback and followed a trail through the woods. So far as known, there is no record of her receiving any pay for this service.

Isaiah Post built the first school house for $150.00 on the Al Johnson land, now owned by Millon Christensen, one half a mile south of Hickory and across the road from the Church of Christ.

In 1872, Hickory School was known as District One, Town of Maple Valley. Miss Hawthorne was engaged to teach for a term of 5 months at $40.00 a month. The County Superintendent at that time was Mr. H. Allen. The stove was an old type rectangular wood stove. It was voted to use the Harper Books. This little log building served its day.

In 1887 it was voted to build a new schoolhouse at Hickory Corners. Eight hundred dollars was raised for the new building. Mr. H. W. Gilkey was the first teacher who taught in the new building. This building was used for twenty seven velars or until 1914.

The present school was built in 1914. It is a brick building and has a basement. Miss Myrtle McGlachlin was the first teacher in the present school. The present school board is Walter Smoot clerk, Milton Christensen director and Mrs. Belle McMahon treasurer. Mrs. McMahon has served thirty years on the Hickory School Board. The present teacher is Mrs. Byrdie Stewart. Many school teachers have come out of Hickory School. "Smily" Burnette, the cowboy movie actor attended school here.

In 1939 a P.T.A. was organized by Mrs. Loyd of Oconto. This organization is still active and supplies many needs of the school, especially the Hot Lunch Program which is progressing nicely with our present cook Mrs. Bertha Phillips. The school has an enrollment of thirty-eight pupils.

Every year something has been accomplished towards improvement of the building and playground. Just recently a new oil furnace has been installed which helps to keep everyone happy these zero winter days.

The Art, Music and Conservation programs which are sponsored by the Wisconsin School of the Air have a place in the daily program of our school. Conservation has a new meaning. The broadcasts have led to two related activities namely, the Conservation Corner and the Log Book which are detailed records of the studies and achievements of the group for each broadcast program.

OUT OF THE LEAF FALLS
These are the things to cherish:
A seed, and a dream, and a child;
Else must the nations perish, And earth fall away to the wild.
These are the things to nourish the budding of trees and youth;
So shall the grown things flourish— Manhood and beauty and truth.
Out of the leaf-falls that perish Retrieved from the baste an wild,
These arc the things to cherish a seed, and a dream, and a child.
—AUTHOR UNKNOWN