Sverdrup Township near Underwood in Otter Tail County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Barnhard School
Rural Schools
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October 24, 2024
1. Barnhard School Marker
From the Earliest Days, Education Has Been of Prime Importance for Residents of Otter Tail County
History Of Rural Schools
In 1869, Clitherall, Minnesota won the distinction of becoming Otter Tail County School District No. 1, even though a petition had gone out from St. Olaf Township dated eleven days earlier. However, St. Olaf got the next three districts, with southwest Sverdrup, now Underwood, being organized as District No. 5.
The number of schools throughout Otter Tail County became prevalent due to the strong agricultural nature of the area's settlement. The total school districts in Otter Tail County numbered 289.
Schools were in session twice a year, during winter and summer. In spring and fall children were needed at home to help with the planting and harvesting of crops.
A Teacher's Life
Teachers looking for work in various schools in the county took a qualifying examination given by the county superintendent. Teachers' salaries ranged from $15 per month with board, to $25 per month and an extra $1.50 per week to pay for board. Men's wages were generally about 30 percent higher than those of female
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Often the teacher "boarded around," spending a week or more at the home of one of the pupils, then going to another.
Barnhard School, Sverdrup Township
School District No. 182 was organized on January 3, 1884. During the first year, classes were conducted in John Randall's log house. A one-room schoolhouse was built on this site in 1885. Later the building was moved across the road onto the Tingvold Church property, where it was used as the community's first church, then as a kitchen and dining hall.
In 1905 a two-story, two-room, frame building was erected on the site. Because of its square shape, the building was referred to as the "cracker box." It was used as a school for years until it became a dilapidated firetrap.
In 1939 the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the two-story structure that still stands today. Made of concrete and fieldstone, a construction material found locally, it cost $24,800. The school was named after William Barnhard, who once lived near this site and was one of the founders of the district.
Designed by architect E.O. Broaten in the Art Moderne style, the building
October 24, 2024
2. Barnhard School Marker & Building
The building was in use until 1971, when all of Minnesota's rural schools closed and students were bussed to schools in town. Becoming part of the Underwood School District, it was used as a first and second grade school. In later years, preschool, kindergarten and first grade classes occupied the building. The Barnhard School closed its doors as an educational facility in May 1982.
Barnhard Changes Hands
The old Barnhard School and 1.5 acres of land were purchased for $5,000 on May 27, 1987, from the Underwood School District by a group of artists. The artists' goal was to preserve the building, open it for public use and educational purposes, including workshops for area artists. However, after financial struggles, the arts group finally had to close the center.
In 1999, the Otter Tail County Historical Society gained ownership of the Barnhard School when the building was generously donated by the Community Arts Center organization. Since there were no resources available
October 24, 2024
3. Barnhard School Building
Captions:
Original school house School District #182, Sverdrup Township [SV18 from the collections of the Otter Tail County Historical Society]
Barnhard School, District #182, Sverdrup Township, circa 1935
Barnhard School, District #182, Sverdrup Township, circa 1905 [SV15 from the collections of the Otter Tail County Historical Society]
The Stagecoach Driver
The first school in Fergus Falls was part of a stable near Central Dam. This particular facility didn't last long, since the odor and the flies were unbearable. To make matters worse, the teacher, a married woman, ran off with a stage driver.
Teacher With a Gun
A young woman applied for a teaching job but the school board was skeptical about hiring her because she was small in stature. The woman assured them they needn't worry. On the first day of school she placed a revolver on her desk and warned the students, some of whom were almost grown men, that she didn't want any trouble.
October 24, 2024
4. Barnhard School WPA Plaque
"Works Progress Administration Project 1940"
Erected by Otter Tail Lakes Country Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1884.
Location. 46° 22.132′ N, 95° 51.777′ W. Marker is near Underwood, Minnesota, in Otter Tail County. It is in Sverdrup Township. It is on County Highway 1 east of County Highway 35, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30016 Co Hwy 1, Underwood MN 56586, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the
October 24, 2024
5. Barnhard School NRHP Plaque
"This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior"
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Water Power (approx. 2.1 miles away); Saving History (approx. 2.1 miles away); Phelps Mill (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Story of Phelps Mill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Phelps Mill National Historic District (approx. 2.2 miles away); William O. Douglas (approx. 2.2 miles away); Friberg Swedish Baptist Church (approx. 3½ miles away); Maine (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Underwood.
Also see . . . Minnesota MPS District No. 182 School - National Archives NextGen Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (1991):
Statement of Significance(Submitted on November 4, 2024.)
"The Barnhard School is architecturally significant...as an intact and well preserved example of education facility, one of the most important and frequently constructed property types built by the federal relief programs of the Depression Era. The Barnhard School is also architecturally significant as a unique adaptation of the Moderne Style which combines standard stylistic elements with finely crafted split stone construction resulting is an architectural expression closely associated with the programmatic requirements of the Works Progress Administration. Although the WPA did not specify architecture styles, a project sponsor was required to furnish all non-labor items, and low cost, locally available materials often made construction economically feasible. Field stone, for example, involved minimal material cost to the sponsor, yet resulted in labor intensive construction which remained consistent with the needs of the relief program. The Barnhard School provided Sverdrup Township with a modern and up to date school building which improved the quality of the educational facilities available to this rural community."
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2024. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 4, 2024.
