Mellette County, South Dakota
County & Town Histories -
Mitchell School District No. 15
Mitchell School District No. 15
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Mitchell School District No. 15
by Mrs. Lonnie Valburg, teacher (This history was made possible through the efforts and cooperation of the following
persons: Miss Gladys Mitchell, Miss Anna Durrin, Mrs. Ted Schmidt, and Mrs. A. B. Nelson)
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
Many changes have taken place in this school district since the beginning, and undoubtedly, we will see many more in the near future, with discussions of reorganization underway.
Our school district was first composed of townships 28 and 29. The first school term to be held in our district began in the fall of 1914.
Members of the school board at that time were Sime Fridy, James Mitchell and Mr. Ozanne.
Anna Durrin was the first teacher. She came from Kansas with her brothers and they lived on the place now operated by Robert Perry. She was paid $60 for the term and she was the holder of a second grade certificate earned in Kansas.
School was first held in an old Indian ranch house just west of the Purewater Dam. Desks and benches were homemade.
The following year, 1915, our district was released from township 29 and from then until the present it has remained township 28.
The first school in our district, as we now know it, was held in a shack which belonged to James Mitchell. It was an L shaped shack, and was located on a quarter of school land about one and one-half miles south of the present Mitchell School.
The second term was also taught by Anna Durrin and she was paid $35 per month. The length of the school term was seven months.
Later in 1915, the school was moved to a new location, which was about one-half mile north of the present Gladys Mitchell residence.
The present Mitchell School building was built in approximately 1917. The first teacher in the present building was Genevieve Overholser from Illinois. She taught only one term.
The first pupils to occupy the new building were Roy and Gladys Mitchell; Casey and Edward Schmidt; Hollie, Ada, and Ernest
Funk.
School furnishings consisted of homemade desks and benches, a large organ, and a large, jacketed heating unit which burned coal and wood.
Most children in those days walked to school, regardless of distance. Many times they would have frozen noses, fingers and toes when they arrived. On extremely cold days it was impossible to heat the school adequately.
Drinking water was carried in a pail from the Mitchell farm.
Few entertainments were held. Usually a small program was given at Christmas. In 1918, a patriotic program was held under the direction of Miss Florence Sterner, who was then teacher. People came from far and near to enjoy it. It was written up in the Wood paper. On the same occasion, a basket social was held, which netted a total of $20.75. The money was used for the purchase of a globe and dictionary.
From the outside, our school looks much as it did when it was first opened. It has been turned around, so that the windows face east rather than west, but otherwise has changed very little on the outside.
The inside has changed considerably. It was remodeled last summer, and has tiled floors, lowered ceilings, and modern desks, making it a very attractive classroom.
Enrollment has increased and the Mitchell School now has fifteen pupils. We have seen many changes since school was first held in our district nearly fifty years ago. We watch with interest to see what the future brings.
by Mrs. Lonnie Valburg, teacher (This history was made possible through the efforts and cooperation of the following
persons: Miss Gladys Mitchell, Miss Anna Durrin, Mrs. Ted Schmidt, and Mrs. A. B. Nelson)
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
Many changes have taken place in this school district since the beginning, and undoubtedly, we will see many more in the near future, with discussions of reorganization underway.
Our school district was first composed of townships 28 and 29. The first school term to be held in our district began in the fall of 1914.
Members of the school board at that time were Sime Fridy, James Mitchell and Mr. Ozanne.
Anna Durrin was the first teacher. She came from Kansas with her brothers and they lived on the place now operated by Robert Perry. She was paid $60 for the term and she was the holder of a second grade certificate earned in Kansas.
School was first held in an old Indian ranch house just west of the Purewater Dam. Desks and benches were homemade.
The following year, 1915, our district was released from township 29 and from then until the present it has remained township 28.
The first school in our district, as we now know it, was held in a shack which belonged to James Mitchell. It was an L shaped shack, and was located on a quarter of school land about one and one-half miles south of the present Mitchell School.
The second term was also taught by Anna Durrin and she was paid $35 per month. The length of the school term was seven months.
Later in 1915, the school was moved to a new location, which was about one-half mile north of the present Gladys Mitchell residence.
The present Mitchell School building was built in approximately 1917. The first teacher in the present building was Genevieve Overholser from Illinois. She taught only one term.
The first pupils to occupy the new building were Roy and Gladys Mitchell; Casey and Edward Schmidt; Hollie, Ada, and Ernest
Funk.
School furnishings consisted of homemade desks and benches, a large organ, and a large, jacketed heating unit which burned coal and wood.
Most children in those days walked to school, regardless of distance. Many times they would have frozen noses, fingers and toes when they arrived. On extremely cold days it was impossible to heat the school adequately.
Drinking water was carried in a pail from the Mitchell farm.
Few entertainments were held. Usually a small program was given at Christmas. In 1918, a patriotic program was held under the direction of Miss Florence Sterner, who was then teacher. People came from far and near to enjoy it. It was written up in the Wood paper. On the same occasion, a basket social was held, which netted a total of $20.75. The money was used for the purchase of a globe and dictionary.
From the outside, our school looks much as it did when it was first opened. It has been turned around, so that the windows face east rather than west, but otherwise has changed very little on the outside.
The inside has changed considerably. It was remodeled last summer, and has tiled floors, lowered ceilings, and modern desks, making it a very attractive classroom.
Enrollment has increased and the Mitchell School now has fifteen pupils. We have seen many changes since school was first held in our district nearly fifty years ago. We watch with interest to see what the future brings.
Pupils of Mitchell School in 1914 are shown with their teacher, Sime Fridy. In the back row left to right are Tillie Huber, Richard Huber, Mary Leighton, Kenneth Asbury, Richard Leighton and teacher, Sime Fridy. Standing in the front row are Roy Mitchell, Avis Hall, Leona Huber, Helen Funk, Ernest Funk and Ben Huber.