Petranek District No. 23
by Emma Petranek Jarl
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
When our pioneer parents came to Mellette County, educating their children was a problem. Schools were held in homes and shanties scattered across the praire; teachers were so scarce that even people with little education taught.
At that time, Petranek District was included in White River District No.2. In the summer of 1917, plans were made for a school building. A change was made in the location of the school when the lumber to be used was hauled and unloaded one ridge further south than originally planned. This was a lucky accident for one family as it shortened the distance they traveled to school considerably.
In December Mr. Reed Boicoirt held classes for the first time in Bechtold School. The pupils enrolled were Esther and Raymond Shouldis, Clara and Ben Petranek, and Clara, Helen, Nettie, Lillie, and Willie Bechtold.
The two most remembered articles in the schoolroom were the large coal stove in one corner and the world globe which remained on the teacher's desk at all times. This was the only large map in the school.
Mr. A. C. Howlett, Harold Gilbert, Floyd Anderson, and Lydia Hutchens were all teachers there the following few years. In 1922 the Shouldis School was built and all the children except the Petraneks and Arthur Howlett attended there. One of the problems the teachers faced was the inability of some of the children to speak English. Along with the three R's they had to teach a new language.
After being closed a year, in 1924 the schoolhouse was moved about a mile south and renamed "Hilltop School." The Crume children came on their horse and Beatrice and Chester Anderson also attended. Helen Adams was the teacher.
In 1926 this territory withdrew from the White River School District and became Petranek School District No. 23. The first school officers were: Joseph. Petranek, chairman; A. C. Howlett, treasurer; and Helen Teutsch, clerk. During the following years Dulcie Atkinson, Lillian Connolly, Elda Paleck Harris, Richard Horton, and Della Caulfield all taught in the district.
In 1935 Ida Banek Karlin taught and lived in the school. That winter was an especially stormy one. The roads were blocked for six weeks and the teacher ran out of supplies, and had no way of obtaining more. Finally, Oswald Jarl rode to town on horseback and got the much needed items. It was a long, cold winter for a young girl to live by herself without even a radio.
In 1936 the school closed. Since then the children have either driven to town or boarded in White River and attended school there.
In 1946 the school was sold to Joseph Petranek who tore it down and used the lumber to build his house in White River.
Now "Hilltop School" is just a memory -the place where so many of us spent the most carefree days of our lives.
by Emma Petranek Jarl
(transcribed from the Mellette County 1911-1961 book, published August 15, 1961 by the Mellette County Centennial Committee)
When our pioneer parents came to Mellette County, educating their children was a problem. Schools were held in homes and shanties scattered across the praire; teachers were so scarce that even people with little education taught.
At that time, Petranek District was included in White River District No.2. In the summer of 1917, plans were made for a school building. A change was made in the location of the school when the lumber to be used was hauled and unloaded one ridge further south than originally planned. This was a lucky accident for one family as it shortened the distance they traveled to school considerably.
In December Mr. Reed Boicoirt held classes for the first time in Bechtold School. The pupils enrolled were Esther and Raymond Shouldis, Clara and Ben Petranek, and Clara, Helen, Nettie, Lillie, and Willie Bechtold.
The two most remembered articles in the schoolroom were the large coal stove in one corner and the world globe which remained on the teacher's desk at all times. This was the only large map in the school.
Mr. A. C. Howlett, Harold Gilbert, Floyd Anderson, and Lydia Hutchens were all teachers there the following few years. In 1922 the Shouldis School was built and all the children except the Petraneks and Arthur Howlett attended there. One of the problems the teachers faced was the inability of some of the children to speak English. Along with the three R's they had to teach a new language.
After being closed a year, in 1924 the schoolhouse was moved about a mile south and renamed "Hilltop School." The Crume children came on their horse and Beatrice and Chester Anderson also attended. Helen Adams was the teacher.
In 1926 this territory withdrew from the White River School District and became Petranek School District No. 23. The first school officers were: Joseph. Petranek, chairman; A. C. Howlett, treasurer; and Helen Teutsch, clerk. During the following years Dulcie Atkinson, Lillian Connolly, Elda Paleck Harris, Richard Horton, and Della Caulfield all taught in the district.
In 1935 Ida Banek Karlin taught and lived in the school. That winter was an especially stormy one. The roads were blocked for six weeks and the teacher ran out of supplies, and had no way of obtaining more. Finally, Oswald Jarl rode to town on horseback and got the much needed items. It was a long, cold winter for a young girl to live by herself without even a radio.
In 1936 the school closed. Since then the children have either driven to town or boarded in White River and attended school there.
In 1946 the school was sold to Joseph Petranek who tore it down and used the lumber to build his house in White River.
Now "Hilltop School" is just a memory -the place where so many of us spent the most carefree days of our lives.
Mellette County, South Dakota
County & Town Histories -
Petranek School District No. 23
Petranek School District No. 23
This website is contiually changing. Data that is received is entered as quickly as possible.
Please check back soon for additional entries!
If you would like information from our resources, have comments or suggestions, or would like to contribute to this site, please email us.
Please check back soon for additional entries!
If you would like information from our resources, have comments or suggestions, or would like to contribute to this site, please email us.
All the data on this web site is © Copyright 2008 by Genealogy Trails' Host with full rights reserved for original submitters.
Do you have a class picture you can contribute?
Attending Bechtold School in 1917 are back row (left to right) Clara Bechtold, Esther Shouldis Raymond Shouldis, Willie Bechtold. Pupils in the front row (left to right) are Ben Petranek Lillie Bechtold, Nettie Bechtold, Clara Petranek: and two of Pete Bechtold's little girls who were visiting school.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
