Jackson #1, Midland School

This school is in its original location south of Amber on 170th Avenue, between 120th and 130th Streets, address being 12517.  It is on the west side of the road.  This school is now a residence and has been highly modified.  I believe the front window is where the door used to be.  The first shot is taken approaching from the north.

This photo taken from the southeast side shows an entry door where a window used to be.

Photos taken 5/1/11

Old Sutton, Clay Center School

This school was built 1856-1857 and is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) surviving schools in Iowa.  It was originally located 3 miles west of Canton.  In September 1981 it was moved about 8 miles to the Edinburg historical settlement, about two miles east of Amber on County Route E23, where it has been restored.

Wayne Township #7, Amber

This first shot here is from a book, and if you don't look at this first you will not recognize the school!  Its address is 13515 Sanford Rd in Amber.  The front of the school faces south.

We photographed this school on 5/1/11.  This first shot is looking at the school's northeast corner.  Compare the east side of the house with the east side of the school and you can see much has been altered. The east door has a garage built over it!

For the next two shots we had to go a block away to an alley where we could get a view of the house, what little view could be had.  These are of the south side of the building.  You can see the little dormer window still, and the west entrance door to the school is still used as a back door.

Fairview #4, Fairview

Now used as a community center.

Fairview is just north of US151 on Iowa Highway 1.  Just as you come into town from the south, you can see this school off to your left.  Turn left on 99th Street and that street ends at the school - about a block's length.

Of course the building now has vinyl siding and other building improvements.  Compare this one to the community center in Amber and you can see the school building itself seems to be the same design.

Photographed 3/13/11

Castle Grove #9, Hardscrabble School

Yesterday when we went to look for this one we discovered just how inaccurate directions can be!  Information we had was from a university study, but their directions led us on a 40 min goose-chase until we accidentally came across Hardscrabble Road (not even mentioned in the directions) and assumed it would lead to the school.  ARGH!

So if you're looking for this one, from Monticello, IA you must head west on D62 for 4.3 miles to 205th Avenue and turn north.  After traveling .7 mile you will intersect Hardscrabble Road and continue north for  another 1.5 miles to the school.  If you miss 205th Ave, the next road you will come to on the right is Hardscrabble, but I didn't get the distance (about a mile, though).

This school was used from early 1870s until 1959 and is now a private residence.  The greater percentage of its students were Indians.

Not being able to get on the property, all these were photographed with a telephoto lens.

Amber, Iowa

On the east side of Amber is the community center, which used to be the Wayne Zion Lutheran school in Wayne Township.  The town of Amber purchased it an moved it here. Of course the vinyl siding has been added, but looking up under the eaves one can see the old structure.

Wayne #6, Edinburg, IA

From Amber, IA, go two miles east on County Home Rd E23 and this will be on the NE corner of 140th Avenue, about 1 mile west of Edinburg.

I previously posted shots of this school, which were taken in 2006, but those were taken with too much growth around the school so you couldn't see a whole lot.  I deleted those shots.  These shots were taken today as we headed out to find it again.  Since our last time there, the outside has been painted, but nothing else appears to have been done to prevent this school from further deterioration.

Jackson #6, Antioch School

Built in 1872, the Antioch School is the first school Grant Wood attended, which is why it has been restored.  It is located on Iowa State Highway 64 east of Anamosa, 3.3 miles east of US151.  We took these photos on 5/1/11, replacing an older photo on this post.