PIERPONT SCHOOL BUILDING
The Dakota and Great Southern R. R. Co. was chartered by Col. Britton, who was an experienced R. R. man, to run from Valley City, N. Dak. to Sioux City, Ia. The first grading done was from Britton south, to about three miles south east of this place. The intention was to run the grade to Bristol. In order to do this it would be necessary to grade up the west slope of the Coteaus and no doubt was found, it would be a very expensive grade.
In 1885, the C. M. & St. Paul R. R. were building quite a number of branch feeders for the main line, and a deal was consummated with Col. Britton, for the right of way and grade of the D. & G. S. R. R. Co. The Milwaukee began in 1886, grading north from Andover and connected the D. & G. S. R. R. grade at this place, and then continued north to Harlem, N. D., where in the spring of 1887, trains began to run on this line.
W. H. Lemmon, at this time platted some five blocks of the present town of Pierpont. After this the R. R. Co. established a station here, and tradition says that the town was named after an official of the Company who resided in New York. Mr. E. C. Marsten, whose claim adjoined Mr. Lemmon's quarter felt that the first thing needed was a post office so he got busy, and succeeded in getting such office. (Upon reflection, he being a republican, and Cleveland being president, he did not think the administration would appoint him as postmaster so he drove out to John McAllens claim, and induced him to accept the office, with the understanding that he himself would accept the appointment as assistant postmaster. This worked out fine.) Marsten ran the office for about a year, in a little building which was moved over from his claim, onto main street and it still stands next to the present post office building. It is now used as a cream station.
The first residence in Pierpont was built by Ole M. Munson.
The first general store was built and operated by Mr. Piper, second general store, by M. A. Tyndall, the first lumber yard was established by Dakota Lumber Co. of Britton, the first coal dealer was E. C. Marsten, who in 1888, sold out to the above lumber company and became manager for them, which position he held for twenty years. The first grain flat house was opened by Empire Eelevator Company with J. S. Mack as buyer, first hardware and implement, by Hildahl and Moe, the first blacksmith Aug. Lochrem, the first bank, by Dart and Hawkins, the first newspaper, "The Signal," was owned by R. L. Folsom. It is still running and the present owner is C. E. Disler, who in 1926 installed a linotype.
In 1889, the Baptists and Presbyterians each erected a church. Both were finished about the same time. These two congregations have now united and it is now conducted as a community church. Later a Norwegian Lutheran church was built. From the first the town had a very healthy and substantial growth. Many fine homes, and shade trees adorn all the resident streets. The town has a park. There are five grain elevators operating; three line, one Farmers, one Independent.
The town was incorporated as a village, Friday, July 13, 1900. The present population is 475, the citizenry constitute the very best, made up of about 60% American and about 40% Scandanavian Americans. This town has a water system, the water being pumped by motor power from an artesian well. It also has a partial sewer system, long distance, Dakota Central Telephone Company, Pierpont Telephone Company, as local, both operated from one central office. Electric current from high-line furnishes light and power. The high line comes from Aberdeen. Also a volunteer fire department equipped with hook and ladder company and a chemical engine.
Schools—The first school was taught by Miss Sheen upstairs in Marsten's granary. In 1893 the first school building was erected. Miss Haskell assisted the board in planning the building, and was the first teacher. She was paid a salary of $40.00 a month. This building answered all purposes for a number of years, when it was replaced by a new brick school building, to accommodate the increased enrollment, which was doubled by 1921. This school was burned down in 1924, and replaced by the present building the same year.
In 1925 enrollment was 185, average attendance 175. Tuition students in both high school and grades numbered 34.
Faculty—The school employed in 1925 eight teachers, four high school and four grade.
Rooms—4 grades, 1 domestic science, 1 manual training, 6 high school and class rooms, 1 gymnasium. E. C. Opliger has been superintendent for the past eleven years and is at present nominee for county superintendent.
127 students have graduated from high school up to the present date. The school is non-accredited.