Kranzburg in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
District No. 5 Public School
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, September 20, 2016
1. District No. 5 Public School Marker
District No. 5 School was the first rural public school in Codington County. At a meeting on June 30, 1879 at the Kranz Hotel, it was decided to build the school for $1,000 or less. The first term was from December 1879 to March 1880, taught by C.E. South for $30 per month.
Twenty-nine pupils were enrolled, ranging in age from five to 21, with an average of 14 students attending. Although other subjects were later added, the first classes were reading, spelling, arithmetic, history, and geography. School terms varied based on the severity of weather and the need for students to help with crops.
Attendance dropped after the turn of the century when a Catholic school opened. During years when there was a shortage of nuns, the schools worked together to cover all subjects. The last teacher's report for District No. 5 School was filed June 2, 1960, ending 90 years of schooling.
This site has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 44° 53.543′ N, 96° 55.257′ W. Marker is in Kranzburg, South Dakota, in Codington County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Holy Rosary Cemetery of Kranzburg / Holy Rosary Catholic Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holy Rosary Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated to Veterans (approx. 8.9 miles away); Freeman Thayer Post Memorial (approx. 8.9 miles away); Public Opinion & City Hall (approx. 9.2 miles away); Watertown Police Department (approx. 9.3 miles away); John Moodie Dry Goods Company (approx. 9.4 miles away); Woolworth Building (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kranzburg.
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, September 20, 2016
2. District No. 5 Public School Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, September 20, 2016
3. Original Plaque
Oldest Rural School
in Codington County
Built in 1878
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
