IT IS THE ROAD less traveled that often leads to the best discoveries even, if at first, the journey doesn’t appear all that promising.
Recently, my husband and I followed back gravel roads from Randolph to Northfield. We were expecting bucolic farm sites complete with grand red barns and white wood-frame farmhouses wrapped in inviting country porches. Instead, we found mostly ramblers and split levels and other modern homes that, if clumped along a cul-de-sac, could have been in suburbia.
It was disappointing to find all these houses strung, like so many imitation pearls, along the smooth neckline of a wide gravel road. I wanted the real thing—pearls spilling across grandma’s bosom.
But then, when I’d nearly given up hope of finding anything genuine, we came across the old Sciota Town Hall at the corner of Alta Avenue and Sciota Trail/310th Street East in the southeastern hem of Dakota County.
The former Sciota Town Hall and, before, that, the Lewiston School, built in 1860
I couldn’t tumble from the van fast enough to photograph this former hall, originally the Lewiston School District 69 schoolhouse built in 1860. It is one of Dakota County’s oldest remaining schoolhouses and originally sat on the north side of the Cannon River in Lewiston, a town long gone (not to be confused with the still-existing Lewiston in Winona County).
In the fall of 1879—and I don’t know the reason—the 18-foot by 30-foot school building was moved to the south side of the Cannon, to its current site atop a hill at the intersection of two gravel roads.
Two stout block outhouses still buffet the school as does an aged water pump minus its handle.
A water pump behind the old schoolhouse.
One of two outhouses on the property. Over the barbed wire fence, in the distance, a farm site, not all that common anymore in Sciota Township.
It’s easy to imagine this place once teeming with children from neighboring farms as they pushed out the schoolhouse doors, legs flailing, into the schoolyard.
It’s easy to imagine, too, the rhythmic thrust of the pump gushing cold well water into their cupped hands, droplets splashing upon their worn leather shoes.
Had the doors of this former schoolhouse been unlocked, I could have imagined more, much more.
FYI: The Sciota Town Hall is no longer housed in the historic building, but in a modern pole shed style structure. Click here to see a photo of the 2005 town hall and to learn more about Sciota Township. Does anyone know whether the former town hall/school ever is opened for any type of historic celebrations or other events?
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love the outhouses! and the water pump.. these old school houses were on so many corners of properties around here, many are still standing silent and boarded up and left to die, surrounded in wild trees, this one has been looked after which is brilliant.. c
Yes, it’s nice to see old buildings like this still tended with some care. Many former schoolhouses in Minnesota are now town halls. Others have become homes and museums. I suppose money is typically the issue in preserving places like this. But they are so important to save.
Ah yes, I drove past that on Saturday. I agree there are so many homes and structures that are out of place. There’s just not the same sense of pride in what people build, but I think part of that is because there’s not the same sense of optimism for rural life and small towns as when grand churches, barns, and farm houses were built 80+ years ago.
Excellent point, Matt. Still, I was surprised by the continuous string of modern homes in an area that I thought would be mostly rural in nature.
We have been working on a project for the Sibley County Historical Society at Henderson to catalog all the one room school houses that were scattered throughout the county at one time. I was fortunate enough to begin my education in one of these small buildings and have fond memories of my few years attending school there. Take a look at our new link on the Sibley County Historical Society website
.http://www.sibleycountyhistoricalmuseum.com/Spotlight_on_School_District__50.html
to see how we are progressing.
The old school that you spotlight Audrey is in remarkably good shape for how old it is. I love the pump and the outhouses. many of the schools teachers had to travel to a nearby farm to bring water back for the school’s use each day.
Congratulations to your historical society. Yours is a wonderful undertaking.
My husband also began his education in a one-room schoolhouse, in North Dakota. I love hearing his story about the day the coyotes were circling the schoolyard and the kids could not go out for recess.
How fun! I love it. Those quilt-squares…fantastic! And I love your poetic description of your search for ther perfect pearls. What a wonderful one you found! (And those brick outhouses! Wow!)
I was surprised at the solid outhouses as opposed to wooden ones. No tipping these over. And I’m glad you caught that bit of poetry I wrote into this post.
What a great find and old school house garnished with outside latrines and a water pump. Oh what i wouldn’t give for one day way back then. Lovely post, I enjoy reading your stories!!!
It would be fun to experience a day in a country school, wouldn’t it? But I’ll settle for listening to my husband’s stories.
Brings back memories of my first grade school house.
Is that schoolhouse still around? And, care to share a memory?
The school house is long gone, it has been farm land for over 40 years now.
I remember recess lunch being spent carrying pails of water to try to drown gophers out of their holes. The pump never stopped and the bucket brigade was busy. I don’t ever remember getting one out.
I remember learning right along with the “big” kids as lessons for those in higher grades were taught as we were supposed to be “studying.”
We had two in our first grade class.
The library was small, not much more room than many dressing closets now days.
It was a long time ago, but memories still linger.
Thank you for sharing these memories of your country school, Michael. Such stories need to be preserved.
What a beautiful part of the world that remains with so much history. I love the old out-house and the water pump. Great images! xx
I love discovering rural historic sites like this. If only I could have gotten inside the former schoolhouse.
Wonderful words to go along with the photos Audrey. I always like finding these “pearls” when I’m out and about wandering the back roads.
Thank you, Ryan. You and I share that similar passion for rural life and finding the “pearls” that are often strung along those back roads. Readers, if you have not checked out Ryan’s photography, do. I promise that you will love his photos from rural Minnesota. Click on his link in his comment and/or go to my blogroll and click on “Fleeting Farms.” Ryan’s work will also be featured in the next issue of Minnesota Moments magazine.