Rutland Township in Independence in Montgomery County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Sunnyside School

— Little House on the Prairie Museum —

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

1. Sunnyside School Marker

Inscription. Sunnyside School was dedicated in 1872 as a one-room schoolhouse with capacity for 36 students. Some years as many as fifty crowded in, sharing desks. 18 year old Lillian Jones (great grandmother to the owners) arrived in 1901 and rode a horse through pastures and prairie to teach all eight grades. Her students ranged from five to seventeen years of age. She made $25.00 a month for a four month term. This school is similar to one that Laura, Mary and Carrie would have attended, had they stayed in Kansas. Bill and Wilma Kurtis, the founders of the museum, moved the school to this location in 1976, as a memorial to Lillian Jones Horton and all teachers in Kansas. It will always be “Grandma’s school” to the Horton’s four generations.

“Remember well, and bear in mind, a constant friend is hard to find.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Erected by Little House on the Prairie Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 37° 7.487′ N, 95° 50.234′ W. Marker is in Independence, Kansas, in Montgomery County. It is in Rutland Township. It is on Laura Ingalls Wilder Road east of Montgomery County Road 2500, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2507 Cr 3000, Independence KS 67301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies: Wayside, Kansas Post Office (a few steps from this marker); Ingalls Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Childhood Home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Birthplace of Carrie Ingalls (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Farmhouse and Gift Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barn / Barn Quilt (about 300 feet away); Richard Colbert Mason (approx. 9 miles away); Captain Richard C. Mason (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Little House On The Prairie (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

2. Sunnyside School Marker

A one-room schoolhouse, similar to many found on the Kansas prairie.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

3. Sunny Side

The entrance to Sunnyside School.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.