Near Johnstown in Brown County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lakeland Sod High School

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

1. Lakeland Sod High School Marker

Inscription. Lakeland High School was constructed 20 miles south of this site by ranchers from several rural school districts during the summer of 1934. School began that September with 11 students. Constructed of prairie sod, with a sod roof supported by pole rafters, this two-room building housed the classroom and living quarters for the teacher. Outbuildings --two toilets and barn for the students' horses -- were also built of sod. The rooms were heated by "prairie coal" (cow chips) picked up by teachers, students and parents.

Altogether 33 students attended Lakeland, with 11 receiving high school diplomas. Some students rode horseback up to ten miles; others stayed with families and helped with chores for their room and board. With Nebraska Department of Education approval and through the efforts of the county superintendent and school patrons, students in the sparsely populated sandhills of southern Brown County received their higher education during the hard times of the 1930s.

Erected by Brown County Historical Society; Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 236.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 42° 33.643′ N, 100° 0.85′ W. Marker is near Johnstown, Nebraska, in Brown County. It is on US 20 (U.S. 20), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown NE 69214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sand Hills

and in the Niobrara Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Ainsworth Army Air Field (approx. half a mile away).

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 26, 2008

2. Lakeland Sod High School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,077 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.