Elkader Loses High School Building in Disastrous Fire

Following the disastrous fire which destroyed Elkader high school's main building, the board of education are rushing through plans to rebuild for use as early as possible next fall.   The fire discovered Monday morning, May 25, about 2:30 o'clock, is thought to have started on a stairway leading to the second floor.

The damage is estimated at $45,000, partly covered by insurance. Fire companies from Strawberry Point, Farmersburg and McGregor assisted the Elkader department, and saved the gymnasium, grade school and library buildings.

Damage amounting to $1,000 was done to the grade school building when the flames scorched one wall. The building destroyed was used jointly by the high school and junior college.   Destroyed in the blaze were all equipment, fixtures, $2,500 worth of musical instruments belonging to the band members, and all records of the principal's office.

The building that burned was of two sections and covered approximately a third of a block. The older section was built in 1876 and the newer portion at the turn of the century.

~sources: Sumner Gazette, Thur., 18 June 1936 (article) and Clayton County Register, Centennial Edition, July 1936 (photo of the school) 
~contributed by Reid R. Johnson

See also ......

This school, pictured before the fire, ca1909 or earlier, appeared on a photo-postcard that can be viewed in the Shedlock collection
Click here (opens a new window)