Willmar in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

District #18 Schoolhouse

August 26, 2023

1. District #18 Schoolhouse Marker

Inscription. Welcome to the original District 18 school house! Measuring a cozy 18' by 22', it was built in 1880 on a site in northeast Willmar Township across Foot Lake about a mile north of the radio station tower. Prior to that, school was held in private homes.

This one room school served pupils of various ages and abilities. Earning a meager salary, country school teachers were generally young, unmarried females, who bore responsibility for the structure, as well as educating the pupils. A notable exception was Roy Sperry, who grew up in his family home, the Sperry House, now listed on the National Historic Register.

As country schools became obsolete, the district was dissolved and folded into Willmar School District in 1965. The next year, the structure was moved to the Kandiyohi County Historical museum site, where students of today can see and imagine what it was like to learn readin', writin', and 'rithmetic in the olden days.

Bottom-left photo:
Kandiyohi County School District #18 in 1951
Richard Skramstad, Carol Olson, Joeanne Eliason, Paul Westburg
Larry Hanson, Richie Ballard, Roy Westburg, Karen Tellinghusen, Ethel Johnson(teacher)
Mary Kallevig
Wayne Olson, James Tellinghusen, Beverly Eliason
Douglas Hanson, Jerry Westburg, Lorriane Eliason
Source: Kandiyohi County Historical Society Photo Collection

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 45° 7.624′ N, 95° 2.205′ W. Marker is in Willmar, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. It can be reached from Town Highway 71 Service Drive east of Porto Rice Street Northeast, on the right when traveling east. Located on the grounds of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 Hwy 71 NE, Willmar MN 56201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota

and specifically in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Judge Qvale Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The History of Kaffe Fest (a few steps from this marker); Engine 2523 (within shouting

August 26, 2023

2. District #18 Schoolhouse & Marker

distance of this marker); Sperry House (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robbins Island (approx. 0.3 miles away); Geology of the Willmar Region (approx. half a mile away); C.C.C. Worker (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willmar.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Great Northern Railway Engine No. 2523 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . County School #18 at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. (Submitted on August 31, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2023. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2023.