Near Mount Vernon in Davison County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Union No. 31 Country School

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 25, 2021

1. Union No. 31 Country School Marker (Front side)

Inscription. Union No. 31 Country School Education was a priority for the pioneers in this area even before South Dakota became a state. In 1899 settlers erected the Union No. 31 Country School 6 miles south & 1 mile east of Mt. Vernon to replace the small one room school they had built in 1884 located ½ mile west of there. Increased numbers of children in the area prompted the construction of a larger schoolhouse on this site in 1923. The schoolhouse continued to provide education for grades one through eight until 1969 when it was consolidated with the Mt. Vernon School District from 1923 to 1969, twenty-three teachers taught at Union No. 31. Over the years, the schoolhouse also served as a facility for social gatherings, township meetings and a voting precinct.

Union No. 31 Country School may no longer exist on this site, but the lessons taught there such as patriotism, sportsmanship, respect for fellow man and a strong work ethic, live on through the individuals and their posterity who were fortunate enough to attend this school.

The Country School By Ethyl Roberdeau

Beside the road sits the schoolhouse.
A relic of
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the past;
Neglected, deserted, and lonely.
Proving that nothing can last.

Many promising youngster
Has gone from out its door
But its sheltering walls will hear
Their voices nevermore.

Now they must go to the city
For "advantages' that are so rare.
While the school sits alone by the roadside
With no one left to care.

Times are changing
It is a foregone rule
But pity the child who has never known
The joys of a Country school.

Erected 2006 by Union N. 31 Country School Alumni and the Herbert & Adela Wieczorek Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 43° 42.177′ N, 98° 15.944′ W. Marker is near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, in Davison County. It is on 397th Avenue near 254th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25387 397th Ave, Mount Vernon SD 57363, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the

Union No. 31 Country School Marker (Back side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 25, 2021

2. Union No. 31 Country School Marker (Back side)

Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Legion Post 26 Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.8 miles away).

Union No. 31 Country School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 25, 2021

3. Union No. 31 Country School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.