Ft. Atkinson

Looks like this was a city school, possibly 2- or 4-rooms. Built 1915, now used as library and museum.

Susan Gosse Leibold provided this information on FaceBook:

This was the public school built in 1915. Nine grades were taught at that time with 10th grade added in 1918, 11th grade in 1919 and 12th grade in 1927. The gym next door was added in 1950. Fort Atkinson Public School existed until 1960. At that time, Fort Atkinson joined the new Turkey Valley School District. Even though the local history book doesn't say it, I know kindergarten students went there for awhile -- Turkey Valley didn't have kindergarten - because my husband went to K there in 1974. Today it houses the public library and Fort Atkinson Museum, and meeting rooms downstairs.

This last photo is of the back side.

Photographed 9/29/18

Sumner Township #3, Praska School

On County Highway B16, about 2.5 miles east of Protivin, north side of the road, address is 3288.

Photographed 10/12/13

Burr Oak Township #8, Lost Nation School

This school is located about two miles SW of Burr Oak, at 3499 248th Ave, which is about 1.25 miles west of US52 if 350th St went through.  Accessible via 355th or 348th St.  Derelict. (on west side of road).

We found this school thanks to the daughter of the owner of the farm, Lisa Zidlicky Meyers.

Photographed 10/12/13

Pleasant #7, Paulson School

The owner of this school contacted me after finding this blog.  This school has been converted into a real nice house.  It is 1.9 miles south of Sattre, at 2972 River Road, with Decorah post office.  It's about 12 miles northeast of Decorah.

Photographed 8/1/12

Pleasant Township #8, Sattre School

From Sattre, proceed west 1/2 mile on Sattre Ridge Rd, and this school is on the south side back in the brush.  Derelict.

Photographed 8/1/12

Pleasant Township #1, Bigler School

Built 1930. On the NW corner of Big Canoe Rd. and River Rd.  Address is 1152 Big Canoe Rd.  Converted to home in 1947.

Photographed 8/1/12

Burr Oak School

Burr Oak School.  At 2351 360th St. in Burr Oak, this 2-room school is on its original location, now converted to a house. The current owner, who converted the school to his home, had a collection of photos and articles framed, which he brought out for us to see.  I photographed it, but apparently I was too quick to not let the autofocus finish, because the photo isn’t sharp enough to read the data I was hoping to have.

The original structure at this site was a 1-room wooden building.  That one was torn down when they needed more room and circa 1870 built a 2-room brick structure, which can be seen in the first photo under the newspaper article on the right side of the photo frame.

The school’s bricks were soft and crumbly, so sometime circa 1910 it was razed and replaced by this wooden structure, which has undergone a variety of uses since it closed.  The bottom right photo in the frame is dated 1945, and at that time it was already in pretty sad shape and had not been used as a school for several years.

Photographed 8/1/12
The following photograph was taken 10/12/13

Canoe Township #?, Pot Hollow School

This school was originally located north of Decorah; from US52 turn west on Meadowlark Rd, and then turn south on wagon road to the first curve.  It was moved to Burr Oak in 1960, to be next to the Burr Oak School.  The school was built in 1915 and restored in 1994.  It was used as an artist’s studio when first moved.  It is in the town of Burr Oak, at 2353 360th St.

Photographed 8/1/12

Decorah Township #2, Guttormson School

From junction of US52 and SR9, go north on US52 about .5 mile and turn west on Madison Road.  Proceed 1.3 miles and the school will be on the south side of the road, facing west.  It appears to have been raised on a new foundation.

Photographed 10/10/11

UPDATE 7/20/17.  This school has been moved NW across the road and up a long driveway to better preserve it.

The following photographs were taken on 3/17/18.  The school's current owners are the ones who restored it to the condition when we photographed in 2011.  They moved it to their property (2214 Madison Rd) where they built "De Novo Barn" wedding and event center and put it on a new foundation with a great basement.  I was there to play my bagpipes for a wedding.  The bridesmaids and bride were getting dressed in the basement, so I didn't get to see it, but there is a walkout in the back.  I did go inside the main floor so as to talk with the bride coordinating what my instructions were; fabulously restored inside!  The school is directly across the narrow drive from the barn.

This photo shows me leading the whole bridal party out of the school down to the side of the barn; the groom of course is awaiting in the barn.

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.

Decorah, IA

On June 28th, 2008, I had a gig to play just southwest of Bluffton, IA.  Bluffton is almost to the Minnesota border and the gig lasted into the evening, so we stayed overnight in Decorah.  The next morning we headed back home after a tour of the Norwegian-American Museum.  This school is at the museum, and had been moved there from several miles southeast of town.  It was built in 1879.

The following photos were taken on 11 October 2013