7.1. SR 07-29-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Historic Context, Schools, Churches, Cemeteries, 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 such as the I.O.O.F. (International Order of Foresters) also occupied space in business blocks. This context covers the period when most of the community's schools, churches, and other institutions and organizations were founded. Schools Elk River's first public 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 subsequently built on Thomas Street between Main and Depot streets. It burned in 1882 and was replaced with a five-room school on the same site. The Italianate style building had two hip-roofed wings and paired segmental-arched windows. A later addition was made to the rear. A tall bell tower rested atop the central bay. 68 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 1939-40 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. 69 A two-story brick high school was completed on this block in 1929-30. It is now an elementary school. Elk River Historic Contexts and Phase II Downtown Com~nercial Area Study 41