Farm Horizons
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Feb. 8, 2016
Country school quiz
How much do you know about the history of country schools
in McLeod County?
Q1: Which McLeod County township had a country school
known as the “Elm Tree” or “Piper School”? The school was
organized in 1862 and closed in 1954.
A1: Bergen Township
Q2: Why was the country school in Collins Township
(organized in 1866) known as the “Round School”?
A2: The school building had a round shape, like an octagon.
winter, and one of the older boys had to walk to a nearby farm house to call for help. Students would huddle
around with their coats, scarves, and boots on trying to
keep warm while waiting for a school board member to
get the furnace working again.
An entry in the book from Martha Carlson also describes cold-weather challenges. She began teaching in
1917, in the building used as Hale Township Hall until a
new one was built in 2004.
“One January day when all pupils were present, a bad
snowstorm suddenly hit,” Carlson noted. “It became so
bad that our neighbor (Mr. Plamann) walked into the
school very nervous and excited and exclaimed, ‘Don’t
send any child home unless someone is here to get
them.’ Consequently, several fathers came with horses
HUTCHINSON
ARLINGTON
LESTER PRAIRIE
320-587-3229
507-964-2283
320-395-2576
1420 ADAM ST.
23189 HWY. 5
122 BABCOCK AVE.
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Page 6
It was a unique landmark between Brownton and Stewart
until it was torn down in 1965.
Q3: In what year did Charles Albrecht become the first
teacher at “Sunnyside School” in Glenco e Township?
A3: 1888
Q4: This woman taught school northwest of Glencoe (in
District 65) from 1927 to 1930. Her husband later won the
Minnesota US Senate seat in Washington D.C.
A4: Elenore Moravec. She died at age 32, shortly after giving
birth to her second child. More than 1,000 people attended her
wake and funeral.
and sleds to get their children, except three who had no
way to get home, so I had to keep them overnight for
three days. We did get word to their parents, so they
didn’t have to worry.”
To purchase a book and/or DVD, contact the museum
at (320) 587-2109 or email [email protected].
See the country school sites
In addition to creating a book and DVD, the McLeod
County Historical Society and Museum also recently
recognized two country schools with dedication markers.
One marker is for District 6 in Rich Valley Township, known as “Riverside” or “Koniska” school, which
closed in 1954. Only a few foundation stones remain of
the building, and the land is now owned and managed
by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The sign features a QR code link that visitors can
scan with a smart phone to hear a story told by Verda
Graupman Templin, who attended the school through
eighth grade.
The second dedication marker is in the Sumter Township wildlife management area, representing the District
30 country school, which operated from 1866 to 1953.
n
Starrla Cray, Herald Journal staff writer, can be
reached at [email protected]
MITCH FABEL
WAYNE M AIERS
LUKE HENNING
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