Published: November 07, 2008 03:34 pm            

Looking back at the one room school

Although the school was located in what was considered a frontier boom town, Red Rock was always classified as a country school. The town of Red Rock was laid out just east of the Red Rock line; the line that from 1843 to 1845 divided the area open for ‘”white” settlement from the territory held by the Indians. Because of its location it attracted both those who wished to trade with the Indians or provide services for fellow settlers and criminals who were moving as far west as possible.

Before it was covered by the lake old highway 14 ran through Red Rock which was on the north side of the Des Moines River. Much of the information about the Red Rock School comes from “Red Rock, Iowa - Annals of a Frontier Community 1843-1969” by the late Harriet Heusinkveld.

In 1845 a tiny log cabin served as school house for the 20 pupils taught by teacher David Hickey ( a non-drinker). He was almost drowned in the Des Moines River because he refused to serve liquor at the school house in observance of New Year’s Day. By the school year 1848-49 there were enough students to hire husband and wife John and Isabelle McCollum. While leaving school one evening she caught her foot in a stirrup and was dragged to her death. Mrs. McCollum was the first person buried in the Red Rock cemetery.

The first “real” school house was built in 1854 to accommodate 87 pupils with the lower grades on one floor and the upper grades on another. It burned to the ground shortly after being built, the first of three buildings destroyed by fire. The last building which served as a school was moved to Monroe and converted into a home.

By the time my mother Reda Martin taught here in the year 1925-26 school enrollment was down to 50. She found the year difficult because 11 of the students were beginners requiring much of her time. Every day she sent the little ones home at eleven to eat lunch and take a nap before returning at two. During that period she concentrated on teaching the other eight grades. Added to her standard contract were instructions to vacate the school in case of a flood. Over the years this school was flooded numerous times.

Mary Beary teacher during 1942-42 recalls the government provided commodities of apples, oranges, canned beans, and soup to supplement the children’s lunches. She was asked to prepare one hot dish each day using the materials consisting of a large kettle, a can opener, and Reynolds aluminum wrap. Periodically the school would be dismissed for a day so the people of the community could come and get ration cards for flour, sugar, shoes, etc.

The school board made the school yard into a playground and picnic area for use by the entire community. A social group called the double R-C’s (Red Rock-Cordova Club) held meetings in the school house.

The last teacher was Edgar Van Arkel who started teaching there in the fall of 1952. He had been hired for the1958-59 school year with an anticipated 19 pupils. However, during the summer several families moved away leaving only 6 pupils (the state required 7) and the remaining students were transferred to other schools. The abrupt closing of the school loosened the strong social ties that held the community together and soon the rising waters of Lake Red Rock would leave only memories of the town of Red Rock.

Teachers who taught at Red Rock include: David Hickey 1845, Isabelle Hayes McCollum, John McCollum 1848, Hattie Starr, E. A. Conrey 1854, Carmela M. Patchin, E. G. Bearden, Dora Stan 1886, J. B. Weed, Florence Hammer 1898, Florence Hammer 1899, Orville T. Nye 1900, F. M. Wright 1901, Florence Hammer, Percie Sarver 1902, Florence Hammer, Pauline Sarver 1903, Pauline Sarver 1904, Pauline Sarver, Lillie M. Mick 1905, Bess Van Gorp, Alta Marsh 1906. J. M. McGrew, Elizabeth Templeton 1907, Jesse Couch 1908, Dora Rice, Nannie Hyatt 1909, Myrtle McArthur, Nannie Hyatt 1910, Kate Dinwiddie, Ethel Jones 1911, Nannie Hyatt 1912, Faye McConnell, Nellie Smith, Maycie Worthington 1913, Nannie Hyatt 1915-16, Florence Ellison 1917, Lora Townsend 1918, Nannie Hyatt 1919, Edith Sharpe 1920, Laura Taggart 1921, Ruby Riherd 1923-24, Reda Martin 1925, Mrs. Zella M. Rowland 1927, Mildred Covey 1929-30, Jessie Williams 1931-32, Ellen Karr 1933, Arthur Richard 1934, Sara Jane Templeton 1936, Sara Jane Templeton Harvey 1937, Alberta Core 1938, Mrs. Ruth Perkey 1939-40, Mary Beary 1941, Jessie Bruce 1943-43 Sara Jane Harvey 1944-45, Mrs. Mary Perkey 1947-48, Mrs. Ruth Perkey 1949, Basal White 1950-51, Edgar Van Arkel 1952-57.

Pleasant Grove in Lake Prairie township will be featured next. Please contact me with reproducible pictures or memories 628-4716

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.