Dawson County Schools
The first school district was formed in 1871, and embraced the entire County. In 1879 there were twenty-four districts, fourteen school houses, 291 male, and 259 female children of school age in the. County. Number of qualified teachers employed, nineteen--males, eleven, females, eight; total wages paidteachers for the year, $1,282.50; value of school houses, $19,400; value of sites, $1,085; value of books and apparatus, $327.50.
was organized Feb. 17, 1871, even before the county was officially formed. Patrick Welch, superintendent of Buffalo County schools, was active in establishing the school, which was first held in a pioneer's home. Plum Creek's first schoolhouse, measuring 28 by 40 feet, was built in 1873. For a time this structure was used for practically all public gatherings--religious services, revival meetings and funerals. As the population swelled, other districts were organized and new buildings erected.
There was a sod school house by 1888-90. A nine month term was held and $25.00 per month was the average salary.
Some of the first teachers were:
Mr. Kirkpatrick, Miss Daisy Ware, Miss Sadie Scott and Tena Alders.
This School was established before 1887, and held in a small two story brick building. In 1887 there were about 30 students in one room ages ranging from 8 to 17, there were no grades.
Some Teachers over the years:
Effie Buckley, Nora Dillon, Ruth Wallace, Ethel Riggs and Florence fleming.
1887 Teacher Mr. N.H. Kirkpatrick
Students:
Ethel, Clifford and Lewis Riggs, Carrie, Daisy and Sophie Ware, Alice Claypool, Frank and Ennie Fox, Arthur,Charley, Florence, Mabel and Nellie Wake, 2 unknown Maryott boys, Thomas and Will Barnard, Murry and Loran York, Clinton and Everett York, 2 unknown buckley boys, Fred Phelps, Bessie and Mabel Brown, Lucindy Ripley, Nellie and Harry Allen.
1899 Graduating Class:
Mamie Conley, Beatrice Walling, Mary Skade, Ella Hanna, George Tunnison, Leslie Zook, Clarence Barnard, Ray Hughes.
1933 Junior ClassClick Image for a full size view
School Pictures from the 1934 Senorian.
Click Image for a full size view
Photo taken 1914 Teacher seated in Center second row is Miss Mildred Derickson
The year this school was organized is not known however it was certainly in operation by the late 1880's. The original building was built of Sod. Among it's teachers were:
U.S. Good, Jim Frantz, Ed Henry,George Radar, Ed Dawson, Earl Keser,Anna Gunn, Nettie Winters, Minnie Daggert, Levi Washington Zook, Katharyn Naffzinger and Mildred Derickson.
Pupils:1880's:
Lee and Nora Pearl Zook, Amanda, Josephine and James Dorram, Martha, Ada, Harry, Wilda Derickson, Elsbie Gibson, Mary Ann Derickson, Lula Kinnan, William and James Nichols, other surnames included; Propers, Shanifelts, and Hildenbran.
1911 Class Momento
1911: Teacher:Katharan Naffzinger
Pupils:
Lynda Gibson, Arthur Nichols, Nellie Hughes, Martha Crouch, Grace Dickenson, Johnny Derickson, George Derickson, Pearl Derickson, Donald Dickenson, Ruth Nichols, Estel Kinnan, Fred Meyer, Ross Hughes, Mary Crouch, Dewey Dickenson, Sadie Frew, Duela Crouch, Elizabeth Crouch, Mildred Derickson, Ethel Gibson, Luther Dickenson, Ethel Bodell.
Copyright (c) 2000 by Sandra Sanchez