Jackson Township, Stone Independent School

Built 1900.  Locate at SW corner of Valley Farm Rd and Wapsi-Y Rd; address 5394 Valley Farm Rd.  Residence.

This photo looking at the north side of the building:

This next shot is of the north and east sides:

East side:

East and south sides:

South side:

Photographed 2/23/16

Jackson Township, Quality Ridge School

Located about 1.5 miles west of Coggon on the NW corner of Coggon Rd and Quality Ridge Rd; address is 5806 Quality Ridge Rd.

Built in 1880, closed in 1941.  Family member of current owners said the school was originally about a mile west and relocated here by former residents, but a 1940 photo shows the school at its current location.  More information would be welcome.

Photographed 2/23/16

Jackson Township, Paris School

Built 1871.  Originally about 3 miles NNW of Central City in on Paris Rd, Jackson Township.  Was west of State Highway 13, and east of the Wapsipinion River.  Now in downtown Central City behind the Central City Historical Society building at 56 N. 4th St.  Preserved for visits.

Photographed 1/11/16

Maine #1, Jordan’s Grove School

Built 1900.  4058 Jordan’s Grove Rd.  Best route from SR13 is to turn east on Burnett Station Rd and go about 2.5 miles to Jordan’s Grove Rd; Burnett turns N onto Jordan’s Grove for a short distance.  School sits the NW corner where Burnett bends eastbound.

Photographed 1/11/16

Czech Grade School

This school is in Cedar Rapids, at 120 10th Ave SE, facing east.  Built in 1904.  Has had a few additions since closing, and there is now a "Czech School Deli" operating on the first floor.

South side

West side hidden by addition

North side hidden by additions

Photographed 4/27/14

Bertram Township #5, White School

Built 1900.  Address is 1393 E. Bertram Rd, on the NE corner of E. Bertram Rd and Skillman Rd.

This first photo was taken approaching from the north on E. Bertram Rd.

West and south sides:

South side from E. Bertram Rd

South and east sides

Approaching from the east on E. Bertram Rd.

Photographed on 11/29/15

Rose Hill School, College Township

The Genealogical Society of Linn County discovered our blog and asked us to be guest speakers at the meeting on May 28th in Cedar Rapids.  We were given tips about a few standing country schools in the region, but this one was ironic.  

Located in the SW portion of Cedar Rapids, this school is on the west side of 21st St SW, just 3/10 mile south of 33rd Ave SW at the SW corner of 37th Ave SW.  Now, when we first moved to the Cedar Rapids area back in December 1995, 33rd Ave SW stopped just east of 21st St, and then didn't begin again until about 10th St.  We had actually driven down 21st St past this school about 1996 or 1997 while just poking around, but we weren't taking school photos until 2003, and probably didn't even notice this was a school back then.

About 3 years ago 33rd Ave was connected by a bridge over the railroad yards, and since then we have frequently driven on this road, never knowing that less than 1/2 mile south was this building!

The school was built ca. 1920, and used until possibly the mid-1950s.

Photographed 5/31/15

UPDATE: The following photos were taken on 1/6/23 and show what a wonderful restoration has taken place.

Putnam #?, Roger's Grove School

Proceed east out of Ely on Banner Valley Rd to Roger’s Grove Rd and turn north.  Continue north on Roger’s Grove Rd for about 2 miles to Ivanhoe Road.  At Ivanhoe turn east and proceed about 3/4 mile to Old School Rd, which is only on the north side and is a dead end road.  The school was on the NW corner;  all that is left of the school is the foundation, and the rubble which has collapsed into it.

(This link has a photo of this school in 1981)

This first photo was taken from the road intersection.

After climbing up the hill, we were able to photograph the foundation from looking over the fence.

Walking along the roadside a bit further north, this shot abeam the north end of the foundation is looking WSW.

Climbing up to the fence gives a closer view, looking SSW.

Walking a bit further north, we can see the north end of the foundation.

Here is the north side of the foundation.

One last shot from farther north on Old School road, looking south.

Photographed on 4/5/15

The following photo, taken in 1981, was provided by Barb Horak:

Putnam #1, Union School

Located at 203 Hardshell Rd, now a home with a large addition added onto the NE corner.  From Ely, proceed east on Banner Valley Rd to its end at Palisades Access Rd, then turn north.  Proceed a very short distance to Dolezal Rd and then turn east to Hardshell.  The school is on the NE corner.  One may also arrive via State Highway 1 north of Solon to 7 Sisters Rd.  Proceed west on 7 Sisters and it will intersect Hardshell when 7 Sisters becomes low maintenance dirt.  Just follow Hardshell to the next intersection, which is Dolezal.  The front of the building is obstructed by trees.

Photographed on 11/2/14

Prairie Ridge School

Closed circa 1950. Located at 8100 Spanish Rd. The original location was 1/4 mile south, and it was moved to the Edwin and Martha Buresh farm for use as a garage and shop.   From Ely or Cedar Rapids one can find this school by using Wright Brothers Blvd, and about 1 mile west of Ely Rd turn north on Spanish Rd for about 1/2 mile.  The school is on the west side of the road behind a house.

Photographed on 10/26/14

Update 8/8/16:  Dave Chase was able to get some excellent photographs after getting permission from the owners.

Update 2/3/18: This link has photos of this school in operation as well as more information:

Putnam #2, Center School

Brick school, now a home at 721 Jappa Rd.  The school is at the SE corner of Jappa Rd and Ivanhoe Rd.  From Ely proceed north on Jappa.  From U.S.30, turn south  on W8E/Jappa Rd and proceed about 1 mile.

This next photo is of the east side, taken from Ivanhoe Rd.

Photographed on 10/26/14