Near Winterset in Madison County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
North River Schoolhouse
Built 1874
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
1. North River Schoolhouse Marker
Madison County Historical Society, Inc.
1962 - 1973
Placed on
National Register of Historic Places
by the U.S. Dept. of Interior
April 22, 1977
Erected by Madison County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1884.
Location. 41° 24.161′ N, 94° 2.539′ W. Marker is near Winterset, Iowa, in Madison County. Marker is on North River School Street west of Knoll Lane, on the right when traveling west. Schoolhouse is west off US Hwy 169, about six miles NNW of Winterset. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winterset IA 50273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hogback Covered Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cedar Covered Bridge (approx. 3.7 miles away); 51 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away); 53 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away); 55 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away); 57 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away); 59 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away); 61 Jefferson Street (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winterset.
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Regarding North River Schoolhouse. National Register Statement of Significance:
The North River Stone Schoolhouse is locally significant as a typical 19th-century Iowa rural school building. In design it is wholly characteristic: a small, box-like structure with gable roof, made of locally obtainable materials, in this case, limestone. The architectural feature which sets this school apart from others of its kind in the state is the quoining, which is exceedingly unusual, if not unique, in this type of building, and which suggests that its builder, stonemason David Harris, may have had training or experience beyond that of most builders of Iowa's rural schools. In 1875 this school was one of six, which were located at carefully-spaced intervals to allow equal access from all points in the township -- a distribution also typical of rural public educational facilities in Iowa. As many as five may still be in existence, although consolidation of rural schools has rendered all of them obsolete.
Also see . . . North River Stone Schoolhouse National Register Nomination 75337047. (Submitted on November 22, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
2. North River Schoolhouse Donor Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
3. North River Schoolhouse and Markers
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
4. North River Schoolhouse
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
5. North River Schoolhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 524 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
