Washburn in McLean County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Nettle Creek Country School

— Washburn Discovery Trail/Lewis & Clark Legacy Trail —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 27, 2023

1. Nettle Creek Country School Marker

Inscription.
Nettle Creek School was the first school in McLean County, opening on November 6, 1883. Originally located seven miles east of Washburn, the one-room country school was first constructed as a log cabin, with clapboard siding added to it later. In 1949, the school closed and in 1968 it was moved into town. Mrs. W. K. Williams of Washburn was instrumental in having the school moved. It was purchased from Oscar Doepke for $100 and moved in July 1968, at a cost of $300. Total repairs cost $1,368.79. The school was then deeded to the Washburn City Park Board for preservation as a State Historical Building.

Erected by Washburn Discovery Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1883.

Location. 47° 17.509′ N, 101° 2.337′ W. Marker is in Washburn, North Dakota, in McLean County. It can be reached from Boat Ramp Road just south of Lewis and Clark Trail (1st Street), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along the Washburn Discovery Trail, in Pioneer Park, on the south side of the school building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washburn ND 58577, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Drift Prairie

and on the Missouri Plateau.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Walter R. Hjelle Bridge (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Washburn Plant (approx. ¼ mile away); Sioux (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Sioux Ferry Boat (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ferry Boats on the Missouri (approx. 0.3 miles away); River Boats on the Missouri (approx. half a mile away); Soo Line Railroad & Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Early Boats on the Missouri (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washburn.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Washburn Discovery Trail

Also see . . . Nettle Creek School #1. Excerpt:

Nettle Creek Schoolhouse was the first one-room schoolhouse built in McLean County, Dakota Territory. The first term of school began November 6, 1883. It was moved to its present location (Pioneer Park) in July of 1968. It is maintained by the McLean County Historical Society.

(Submitted on October 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Nettle Creek School Interior image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Leader News, Washburn

2. Marker detail: Nettle Creek School Interior

Inside, the Nettle Creek School has been restored to what it may have looked like when class was in session.

Marker detail: School Desk image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Leader News, Washburn

3. Marker detail: School Desk

The desks were moderately simple, but the metal frames were quite ornate.

Marker detail: Memo image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Memo

Nettle Creek School
Built in 1882Moved into Washburn in 1980 from near what was the Lechner Farm (now the Doepke farm) east of Washburn.Moved by promotion and effort
Mrs. W. K. Williams, Washburn
McLean County Historical Society

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 27, 2023

5. Nettle Creek Country School Marker

(looking north from the Washburn Discovery Trail • Nettle Creek Country School in background)

Nettle Creek Country School (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 27, 2023

6. Nettle Creek Country School (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.