Activity has increased this week in southwest Chariton as the neighborhood elementary school prepares to open for the fall term in somewhat uncertain times. The Chariton Community School District serves some 1,200 students these days and covers all but a few fringe areas of Lucas County.
Scholars faced uncertain times, too, during the late summer of 1940 as World War II loomed on the horizon --- but there were many more of them and one-room rural schools like Puckerbrush (also known as Pleasant Ridge No. 3, above) dotted the countryside. Built in 1874, Puckerbrush was moved to the Lucas County Historical Society Museum campus during 1968 after rural districts had been consolidated.
Approximately 1,200 students were expected to enroll in 82 rural schools in Lucas County that autumn 80 years ago. A smaller number of youngsters in grades primary through eight would attend classes in six town and village districts and graduates of all would enroll in grades 9-12 in one of the county's six high schools: Chariton, Russell, Lucas, Williamson, Derby and Norwood.
The Chariton Leader of Aug. 27, 1940, published the following brief preview of the upcoming year on its front page:
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Grass is being cut, windows washed, and school houses throughout the county given a thorough cleaning this week prior to the opening of schools next week. A few rural schools opened Monday but the majority will start classes next week.
All schools in the county will be open next week with the exception of the Chariton schools which will open a week later. There are 82 rural schools in the county this year, two less than in 1939-40. The White school in Cedar township and the Keeney school in Liberty township will not be open this year.
A total of approximately 1,200 pupils will attend the rural schools this year.
2 comments:
I enjoyed the article since I am one of many in my age group to attend a rural school. I attended Myers Country School (Benton Township No. 4) from Kindergartin through 8th grade. It looked like Puckerbrush except that the vestibule/entrance was on the left side and the chimney was on the oppisite end as the coal/woodburning stove was to right as you entered. I am now retire and living in Hawaii. In 2005 I brought my wife (who was born and raised in Hawaii) to Iowa so I could show her where I grew up and went to school. We visited the Historical Society and Betty Cross kindly showed us around so I got some pictures sitting at a desk in Puckerbrush so I can now show my daughters and grandchildren what school was like for me. (As a side note: I was pleased to see that my father, Jubal Sanborn, had donated several items to the Historical Society.)
I remember your family well. Myers school was named for my family; my grandparents lived north of the school; and the farm you lived on was part of the old Jacob Myers (my g-g-grandfather) homestead that had been set apart and the house constructed for my great-uncle, Raymond Myers. Thanks you for commenting!
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