Beckwith school started in 1851

PRINCE, CLARK

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/1/2011 at 22:25:29

"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Monday, December 31, 1951
Page 4, Column 1

Beckwith School Dist. One Hundred Years Old

We are giving space today to an interesting history of Beckwith School No. 5, Buchanan township, written by our veteran correspondent Mrs. Jennie PRINCE. This may not be editorial material, but Mrs. PRINCE forces into her story the difference between schools a half century ago and now. Her brief history follows:

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Beckwith No. 5, celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.

The early pioneers who settled this section of the county in 1851 decided that the first improvement needed was a school house. A meeting was called and it was decided to build a school house on a spot about where Charley CLARK's silo now stands. In all probability it was a log structure.

When and why it was decided to move the school building to its present location, I am unable to say. It was probably sometime in the early 1860s. My mother went to school in that building, where also my early school days were spent.

In the back part of the room, ten or twelve of the youngsters were seated in a long seat. Of course we had a lot of fun. The teacher kept a keen eye on us all.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.