Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sunny Valley School
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
1. Sunny Valley School Marker
Sunny Valley School, originally called Goethel School was built in 1903 approximately eight miles west of Chippewa Falls on State Highway 29 where it crosses County Highway T. The one room schoolhouse served the north half of School District No. 5, Southwestern Township of Wheaton. It was heated with cord wood and slabs in a box stove and lighted with four kerosene wall bracket lamps.
The first classes began in January of 1904 with Louise Small as the teacher. The standard pay at the time was $35.00 per month and teachers had to build their own wood fires for heat, keep the school clean, and take care of their own room and board while teaching eight grades. With no paved roads or snow plows, 99 percent of the children walked to school, many over two miles one way.
Sunny Valley was closed in the early 1960's when the district consolidated with the Chippewa Falls City Schools. In 1965 it was given to the Chippewa Falls Lions Club who had it moved and donated to the City of Chippewa Falls for Irvine Park. Park Superintendent Ralph Wolfe was responsible for its placement here on this foundation.
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Marker Sign #39
Erected by the Chippewa County Historical Society. (Marker Number 39.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1904.
Location. 44° 57.184′ N, 91° 24.178′ W. Marker is in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. Marker is at the intersection of Ermatinger Drive and Wolfe Drive, on the right when traveling south on Ermatinger Drive. Marker is in Irvine Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chippewa Falls WI 54729, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneer Norwegian Log Home (a few steps from this marker); Bear Den Road Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); William Irvine (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of Old Abe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Irvine Park Drive Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Chippewa Valley Electric Railway Co. (approx. half a mile away); Northern Wisconsin State Fair (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chippewa Falls.
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
2. Sunny Valley School and Marker
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
3. Sunny Valley School
Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011
4. Sunny Valley School
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 786 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
