SCHOOLS

History of Oronoco>LEARNING IN THE PAST

SCHOOLS

There were two main schools located within the City limits of Oronoco from 1875 until 1976. Area Country schools were attended by students from this area. One of the country schools, the Coon Grove Schoolhouse was moved onto the Lions Club Park in 1998.

The Old Brick School House of Oronoco
The New Brick School
Stone Corner School
Coon Grove School- District #89
Gravel Knoll School District #85-1350

The Old Brick School House of Oronoco

Top

Built in 1875, school began with Howard Crane and his wife as teachers. The students shared double seats and had to provide their own text books. The county superintendent visited from time to time by a horse drawn sleigh. Mrs. L. Hutsinger earned the first rural diploma in Olmsted County as a graduate of this school.

The 1875 building cost about $5,000 to build which upset the taxpayers as the average school house built at that time cost about $1,400. The building has 14 rooms with a circular staircase leading to two upstairs ballrooms. In 1926, the Old Brick Schol was legally condemmed to force tax payers to build a new school. The building is now a private home and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

William S. Hart, the actor and author, made his first public appearance in this school. Porter James McCumber attended school here and later became a U.S. Senator.

Old Brick School As It Looks Today [Click here to view full size picture]

The New Brick School

Top

Built in 1926 after the Old Brick School was condemmed, housed students until 1976. The original square brick structured was added onto to provide extra classrooms for area students. In 1976, the school was closed due to declining enrollment. Landowners were allowed to choose between Pine Island School district and Rochester School districts for a school district for their children. The original landowners decision followed the land for future school boundary designations.

The City of Oronoco eventually purchased the building. It now is used a Community Center and housed the Oronoco City Offices.

New Brick School (now Oronoco Community Center) [Click here to view full size picture]

Stone Corner School

Top

The Stone Corner School started January 9, 1856. It was a country school located on the corner of Highway 52 and 75th Street(Douglas Corners) where the Sons of Norway hold their meetings. Classes were discontinued June 23rd, 1969, when the School merged with the Rochester Public School System.

Forest Bandel attended this school from 1916-198 and later became a teacher here. He then went on to become the Superentendent of the Rochester Public Schools for 29 years.

Hazel Dallman was a teacher here from 1933-1936. Her son, Paul was on the Oronoco City Council.

Stone Corner School (as it is today) [Click here to view full size picture]

Coon Grove School- District #89

Top

The Coon Grove School was located 1 1/2 miles north of Oronoco. It was at the time on eov the newest schools in the country. The seating capacity was 40 and housed a library at a cost of $3200. Early teachers were: Ann Rice, E.M. Stanton, VG. Reifsnider and Irvine Hodge.

Coon Grove School (as it is today in Town Square) [Click here to view full size picture]

Gravel Knoll School District #85-1350

Top

The School was organized on September 13, 1859. Early teachers were: Pearl Williamson, Mable Ripley, Myrtle Waldron, Daisy Conley. It was located on Highway 52 two miles south of Oronoco. It merged with the Rochester Public School System and the building was no longer used as a school.

The building was moved to the City of Oronoco and became Oronoco's first town hall and is located on the Lion's Club Park located by the Presbyterian Church. In 1965, it was used for township election on Marach 9th.

Gravel Knoll School (as it is today on the Town Square) [Click here to view full size picture]