Old School

A limestone schoolhouse.  Dane County, WI. 
4/4/2021 dwm photo

If you take time for a journey instead of a trip, spending time on the backroads instead of a super-highway, keep your eyes open for small pieces of history.

Size varies, but old one-room schoolhouses are still part of the landscape.

Some were restored, getting new life as a single-family home or office building.

Many others are slowly being reclaimed by the land.  During our Sunday drive this week, we came around a hill to see what looked like an old school except it was built with limestone.

A rusted swing sat out front with short lengths of chain hanging off the main beam.  A sign, "Private No Trespassing," reminded passers-by school was out.

I pulled over to take pictures from the road.  After a half-dozen shots, I heard a small ATV approach.  It was a man stopping to say hello.  He told me it was his great-grandfather who built the school using rock dug out of hills on the family farm. 

The old swing set is under trees to the right.
4/4/2021 dwm photo

  A historic marker placed by the family and the local historic society says it served area children from 1887 to 1954. 

  The marker indicates it was built for $325 in the late 19th century.  At that time there were dozens of schools like this across the county, four remain.

  My mom went to a one-room school when she was young.  She said having all the kids in the same room prepared kids for future lessons and provided tutors when needed.

  When a school is built of rock, I expect it served as an excellent foundation for the boys and girls who sat in the seats.