Historic Contexts Study and Phase II Inventory (Downtown Elk River) 2022

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Elk River Historic Context, Schools, Churches and Local Institutions,1854-1920 Elk River School, ca. 1900. Photo: MHS. In Elk River, local and county government created a collection of buildings typical of nearly all settlements of its size. In addition to schools and the county courthouse, private Masonic organizations also occupied space in business blocks. This context extends from 1851 to 1950. Schools Elk River's first school was organized in 1854. Classes were held in the Orono home of Mrs. Bean, a local resident. A schoolhouse was built in 1857. With the shift of population to the new village of Elk River, a one -room frame schoolhouse was erected there in 1868. A new four- room school was built in xx on Thomas Street between Main and Depot streets. It burned in 1882. it was replaced with a five -room school on the same site. The Italianate style building had two hipped- roofed wings and paired segmental - arched windows. A later addition was made to the rear. A tall bell tower rested atop the central bay. 69 The school block included a small pond set in a deep bowl. The pond was filled for an athletic field in 1921-22. By 1926 a regulation football field and running track were installed. In 1939 and 1940 the National Youth Administration hired local workers to construct stone retaining walls, a warming house, and tarred path to the floor of the stadium. The Elkhi Stadium was dedicated in 1940. It has continued to serve as a spot for sliding and skating.' A two-story brick high school was completed on this block in 1933-34. It is now an elementary school. Elk River Historic Contexts Study Draft 412002 32