This little brick school represents generations of pioneers who founded a small village at a crossroads where thousands of travelers passed through on their way west. My great grandfather and his family came here in 1873 after arriving in America in the 1850s. Where were they for 20 yrs? That's a whole other story. This small school was erected ca 1875-1878 and provided a community gathering spot, a church sanctuary as well as a place to educate hundreds of children who grew up in this area. My grandfather and father attended classes here and my mother taught here in the 1930s. Just south of this building was the site chosen for a flour mill by my great grand, and it operated until destroyed by a fire in 1887. Thru the years ox carts, stage coaches, military units, covered wagons, people pushing wheelbarrows with worldly goods and horseback riders as well as people on foot, all paused for a day or a life time to pursue their dreams. I am proud to say that my family continues to be the caretakers of the property which surrounds this school. Today, it is used as a township hall and the surrounding fields provide shelter and food for hundreds of deer in addition to turkeys, pheasants, eagles, ducks and even a coyote who was seen patrolling the snow dusted fields on a cloudy winter day. Think of the stories and whispers of generations of individuals who have passed this way.
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Through the years repairs have been made to the building to protect
it from the elements and to keep it useable for special meetings. |
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The cemetery was incorporated in 1883 and provides the final
resting place for several great grandparents and other relatives. |
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In 2011 we found hundreds of deer making themselves at home
in the area. My father started the tradition of planting corn to
provide a food lot many years ago. |
