Back to School with the Country Schools of North Dakota Survey (Part 1)

By Jen Wilkie, Director, PND
In 2009, the State Historical Society of North Dakota announced a new cultural resources survey documenting country school buildings across the state. The key to conducting a successful survey, of course, lies in the willingness of volunteers to pick up their cameras and tape measures and record these structures. Thanks to the hard work of several volunteers, nearly 100 schools have been surveyed to date and are listed on SHSND's website: http://www.history.nd.gov/hp/recordedschools.html.

This summer, PND member Marilu P. and I have been recording schools in Traill County. Of the approximately 80 country schools built in the county, we have documented only 10 standing structures, 5 of which are in their original location. One schoolhouse has been moved to Hillsboro and restored to interpret the history of education in Traill County. The other 4 structures have not only been moved, but also repurposed as farm buildings, garages, and homes.

Our first trip out into the county was on a beautiful Saturday in June. Armed with a few county atlases and Marilu's research notes, we headed out to the southern townships in search of the elusive country school. We only documented two schools that day, although we did find one that we were sure had been moved only a short distance and converted into a garage. The property, however, was clearly marked "No Trespassing," so we didn't get a very good look.

Here's a quick photo tour of our first day on the job:

While scouting out a possible school site, Marilu spotted these buildings through the trees. We were ready for adventure, so we trekked into the tree strip to make sure our school hadn't been moved; it wasn't there, but we found this abandoned farmstead.

We surveyed this country school, still in its original location in Roseville township. The landowner's daughter saw us on her way to work and stopped to apologize for not having the grounds mowed.

The remains of a double grain elevator sit in a field across from the school in Roseville township.

This darling school with a hipped roof and brass ridgepole is in Norway township. There are a few broken windows, but the grounds are kept up and the building seems to be in good condition. We were able to go inside the school in Norway township! Notice the original light fixtures and washstand in the corner; there was a small mirror and cabinet hanging above the sink and a hand pump to the left. It is likely that students sat on the benches for class. Once the school closed, it served as the township hall. On the left standing against the chalkboard are the township's voting booths and the doorway on the right leads into a small room with a large metal case containing what we believe are township records. This is the school in Norway township as view from the south; across the road is Norway Lutheran Church, and to the north of the school is the church cemetery. Check back here for part 2 of our adventures in Traill County...