Early Education in Layton

Early Education in Layton. . , Education was a priority to early pioneers. In 1857 Layton settlers built Adams School. The log structure was 20 X 32 feet, with a thatched roof, dirt floor, and a brick fireplace. The teacher was paid in produce, bacon, or flour. , School buildings were frequently used for church and community events. Transportation to school was often difficult. Most children walked, but a few had access to a horse, buggy, or wagon. Settlers built a stable to accommodate the animals during the day. Outhouses were built next to the stable, one for boys and one for girls. Lunches, which usually consisted mostly of jam/molasses or tomato sandwiches, were carried to school in buckets. Each day buckets of fresh water were brought into the school and served with a large ladle. The teacher traditionally rang a hand bell to mark the beginning or ending of school, recess and lunch. The playground consisted of a ball diamond and some bleachers., In 1890 the Public School Act was passed in the Territory of Deseret. It marked the beginning of graded schools. On October 12, 1902, Layton Elementary was built. It included all grades up to and including the 7th grade. The site selected was 339 West Gentile Street. The land was owned by the Episcopal Church which had previously housed St. Jude's School. The city purchased it for $600.00. However, proposed construction bids exceeded the budget, so the school was built using day labor. , Other early one-room schools in Layton were Tramain Log School, built 1860; Dawson Hollow, 1875; Log School, 1880; Five Points, 1881; St. Jude's, 1888; West Gentile and Doman Frame Schools, built in 1892; William Nalder School and Stephen Nalder Schools, 1897; Kershaw, 1897; and Sand Knolls, built in 1898. , After completion of Layton Elementary, all one-room schools closed, leaving Layton Elementary the only school in Layton until 1942. On September 24, 1984, the school building was demolished and a new Layton Elementary building was constructed.