Medora in Billings County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Medora Education
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
1. Medora Education Marker
The need for educating local children was first publicly expressed in 1884 when St. Marys Catholic Church Pastor Rev. Martin Schmitt, O.S.B., appealed to Medora residents to establish a school.
Classes were begun in a cantonment building west of the Little Missouri River in July 1884 with Dan Williams instructing. The first classes in Medora opened on December 15, 1884, in St. Marys Catholic Church, with a Miss Finger as teacher. Madame de Vallombrosa, wife of the Marquis de Mores, paid the salary of the teacher.
A more permanent school began in the Medora Hall in 1885. The de Mores School building was completed in 1916, housing grades 1-12. The last high school graduating class was 1961. That building was replaced with the present school, which was completed in 1986.
The first eighth grade diploma was awarded in 1902. The Billings County Superintendent of Schools oversaw as many as 18 school districts from 1902 until 1966 when the unified Billings County School District was formed.
At one time, there were as many as 50 one-room schools providing education to the youth of Billings County. Teachers taught grades 1-8 in the country schools.
(Marker Number 18.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is December 15, 1884.
Location. 46°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on North Dakota’s Missouri Plateau. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Margaret Roberts (here, next to this marker); Medora Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Roberts Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The President Returns (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunting and Trapping (within shouting distance of this marker); Medora Depot & Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Custer Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Stockmens State Bank (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medora.
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains a photograph of the De Mores School. Two pictures depicting the early days of Medora education appear on the top of the marker.
Additional commentary.
1. First teachers in Little Missouri/Medora
From what I have read, schooling began at the Badlands Cantonment as early as 1882. Sergeant George O Bartler was identified as the post school teacher in 1882.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
2. Medora Education Marker
Daniel Williams was, perhaps, the third teacher of record at the cantonment school in Little Missouri, starting in the summer of 1884. The anonymous female teacher is mentioned in the Bad Lands Cow Boy for Thursday, March 27, 1884, and Daniel Williams appears in the issues for Thursday, July 17, and Thursday, August 4, 1884. Sergeant Bartler is mentioned in a letter written by Badlands Cantonment Commanding Officer William Sage on December 15, 1882. Sgt. Bartler began his teaching duties on Monday, November 20, 1882.
— Submitted June 1, 2024, by Mark Berg of Minot, North Dakota.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
3. Markers in Medora
Two markers can be found at this location. The Medora Education marker is seen here on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 867 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
