Oxford #6, Clodfeller School

Leave Oxford north on State Route 109, then turn east on US Rte 6.  About 2.5 miles east of SR109 is Echo Ave; turn north on Echo about 2 miles to 250th St.  The school is on the SE corner of Echo and 250th.  It is now a residence, with a brick addition on the east side, a garage on the north side, and a second floor.  Had a nice visit with owner Matt Hansen, who showed us a photo of the school from the 1950s.  In the photos, the back of the school ended where the jut out for the garage extension begins.

Photographed 8/27/11

Oxford #3, Grabin School

From Oxford, proceed north on State Route 109, across US Rte 6 on Upper Old Hwy 6, but continuing north on Cemetery Rd when the two split.  Continue on Cemetery Rd to 250th St/Grabin Rd., then turn west on Grabin.  Grabin will turn north about 1/2 mile from Cemetery, then go a very short distance and turn NW for about 1/2 mile, then turn north again.  When Grabin again turns west, the school will be on the south side of the road about .25 mile from the turn.  It appears to be used as an outbuilding.

Photographed 8/27/11
Rephotographed with less foliage on 12/17/11

1834 Methodist Church

This 1834 Methodist Church was the first church in Iowa, built in Dubuque in Washington Square.  It was also used as a school.  It has been relocated to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

Photographed 8/17/11

Jefferson #1, Sulek School

East of Shueyville about 1.5 miles, on the north side of County Route F12 (120th St), at the T-intersection of Hickory Lane.  Very difficult to see this old school which has been converted into a house, due to the pine trees blocking the view.

Photographed 11/16/11

Jefferson #2, Shueyville

On the west side of Shueyville on County Route F12 (120th St.), at the NW corner of NE Mill St.  This school has had a large addition on the west side of the house.  It is just a short distance kitty-corner from the old Shueyville High School.

Photographed 8/14/11

Shueyville High School, Shueyville

This one is a wee bit larger than a 1-room school; I think the ex-teacher who told me about it said it had two or three rooms.  It closed as the area high school in 1955, but was used for additional classroom space for many years before finally being turned into a community center.  Additions have been put on both sides of the original building, and the ex-teacher said it was also lengthened.

This school is located on the south side of County Route F12 (120th St.) on the west side of Shueyville.
Photographed on 8/14/11.

10/7/23: Barb Horak shared this photo on Facebook, taken when the school was active or shortly thereafter.

Penn #6, Green Bank

To find this school you must depart North Liberty on Dubuque St, southeast bound.  Dubuque St will then bend east, and just past Grace Community Church you will see North Liberty Rd.  Turn south on this road and .2 mile on the left will be the school, now a residence.  The school faces south.

Photographed on 8/12/11

This next photograph was taken on 10/31/14 so as to show the front of the building after most of the leaves have fallen.  There is no unobstructed view of the building without going on the property.

Clear Creek #3, Oak Hill, Tiffin

We photographed this school on 3/6/11 but weren't positive it was a school until today when it was positively identified by an old teacher.  This school is about 1.5 miles west of Tiffin on U.S. 6, and on the north side of the road.

College Twp #? Western

South of Cedar Rapids is the village of Western.  The Cedar Rapids Gazette, 7/19/06, had an article about the village and accompanying the article was a photo of this school, converted to a house.  The owner said it still had the original chalkboards when he bought it.  It is located just west of the SW corner of Club Road and Western College Road.  To find it from Cedar Rapids you use Wright Brothers Blvd east of I-380 and turn south on Club Rd.  Proceed south into Western and turn west on Western College Rd.  The fire number address is 909.

(Photos taken 8/10/11.  Previously posted with a photo from 2006)

Dover #1

While looking for Dover #6, we met a very nice gentleman in Clermont, whose name was Dean.  He was very helpful with directions to Dover #6, and then told us about others we already had photographed except for this particular one.   Originally located at the NW corner of CR W42 and B40 (Great River Rd).  Relocated 2 miles north of B40 on the west side of W42.  It is being remodeled into a Bed and Breakfast.

Dover #6

Built in 1898, closed in 1965 and preserved as it was.  Still has playground equipment on the property.  Two ways to arrive.  From Clermont, proceed northwest and west on CR B40/Great River Road for seven miles.  The School is on the SE corner of Ironwood Road.  From West Union, proceed north on CR W42 to B40 adn then proceed east about 3 miles to Ironwood Road.

Photos taken on 8/3/11

Clermont #2, Riverside

A few miles northeast of Clermont on US18 is the Heritage Farm Park with several old structures which have been moved there.  This school was built in 1891.  It has the original bell, but desks have been donated from St. Peter Catholic School.  Preserved.  The photo was taken on 8/3/11.  Unfortunately, I didn't notice that the autofocus wasn't quite in focus.

Clermont Township #?

Northeast of Clermont on US18, 1.4 miles north of Heritage Farms Park, on west side of the road.  Brick school now used as “Ole and Lars Woodshop.”  Photos taken on 8/3/11.

Frankville School

On the northwest edge of town, on the corner of County Route W48 and 175th Street.  Two story stone.  Built in 1872 and used until 1962.  Back doors on the SE side of the school on both floors were converted from windows years ago and a fire escape was added.  Photos taken on 8/3/11.

Springfield Township #?, Nordness School

We stumbled across this school while looking for a wooden school, which we never found.  This stone school looks like it was built ca. 1855-1870. It is on the SW corner of Lincoln and Nordness Roads, about 8 miles south of Decorah.  The best way to locate this school is to drive south from Decorah on County Route W38 to Lincoln Road and then proceed east to Nordness.  The school is on a hill overlooking a residence.  Photographs taken on 8/3/11.

Highlandville School

Built in 1911, closed in 1964.  Actually has two rooms.  Was cleaned up in 1973 and is now used as a community center.  Highlandville is about 15 miles NNE of Decorah, on Country Route A24/Highlandville Rd.  As you come into town, you will see the Highlandville General Store on the north side of the road.  Just past the store is a bridge, and as soon as you cross the bridge there is a drive on the left that goes back to the school.

Photos taken on 8/1/11

Pleasant #3, Locust School

About 10 miles north-northeast of Decorah is this school, about all that is left of the community of Locust.  It is at the NE corner of County Routes W38 and A26.  The school was built in 1854 and closed in 1962.  Supposedly it is the oldest Iowa school still on its original site.

Photos taken on 8/1/11
This photo taken on 10/12/13

Bouska School, Spillville

Moved from nearby east of town to the Bily Clocks museum.  Built in 1854 as a school, when it was no longer used as a school (no later than 1866) it was added to another existing cabin to make a larger home.  Photo taken on 8/1/11.

German School, Eldorado

This German one-room school is next to the Lutheran church on the south side of town.  Photo taken on 8/1/11.

Union #5, West Union

This school was relocated to its current position in the Fayette County Fairgrounds.  It is preserved and open during the fair.  Photographed on 8/1/11.