Sheldall School, Story City

Part of the Story City Museum collection.  The Sheldall Schoolhouse was built in 1860 by newly immigrated Norwegian farmers from lumber harvested along the Skunk River. It was built by Lars Henryson on land in southern Hamilton County owned by Lars Sheldall.  This school served many functions including an early church and was a polling location during the Lincoln presidential election of 1860. The schoolhouse was moved to its current location in 1990 by the Story City Historical Society. The restored building shows how education was conducted from 1860 - 1885. The schoolhouse is located at Broad St and Hillcrest Dr.”  For additional information:

Museums of Story City

Des Moines Register

Photographed on 10/8/15

Howard #3, Thorson School

The sign on the school says 1875, but the Roland Museum’s web site says the school was from 1890.  Relocated to 104 Poplar St. in Roland from a nearby unspecified location.  Now used as a museum.

Photographed on 10/8/15

Halley School, Nevada

This school is part of the Nevada Historical Society’s “Evergreen Lane” collection, located at 1204 H Ave.  The school was built in 1874 and was located southeast of Nevada.  It was closed after the 1944-1945 school year.  It was later moved to the 4-H fairgrounds before being moved to Evergreen Lane.

The following photos were shot through the windows, since the building was locked.

Photographed 10/8/15

Hoggatt School, Ames, IA

Used as a school from 1862 to 1867.  The school was originally in Washington Township near the intersection of the Lincoln Highway and Maple (St? Ave?).  Used many times also as a church, and moved several times after 1893 until it ended up at 1008 3rd St in Ames, IA, where it was used as a house.

In 1980 the school was donated to the Ames Historical Society, and the following year it was moved to the playground of Meeker Elementary School.  Restoration was completed in 1983. 

Due to construction of new buildings beginning in 2014, the school was moved to its current location on the west side of Meeker Elementary School, just north of 18th St on Burnett Ave.

Full information about the school can be found here.  (Thanks to Casie Vance of the Ames Historical Society for the information about the school.)

Photographed 6/29/15

Grant Township #?, Unknown School

About 1.5 miles east of I35 on Old Lincoln Highway/old US 30/E41.  Exactly .3 miles east of 580th St, on the north side of E41, facing west.  Now a house, address 58327.

Photographed on 6/29/15

Unknown School, North of Colo

This school, which is being used as a garage, is about 3 miles north of Colo on US65, on the east side of the road.  You really don’t notice it when approaching from the north due to trees, but there are three windows on the north side also.  Address is 19820.  Of course there is no telling when or where the school came from.

Photographed on 6/29/15

Sherman #5, Center School

To find this school, proceed 3.5 miles north of Colo on US65 to county road E29/190th St and turn east.  Proceed one mile to 710th Ave, and the school is on the NE corner.  It has been preserved but not restored.  Built 1890.

Photographed on 6/29/15