HERITAGE VIGNETTES by Marilyn A. Bekker

EDUCATION

The first school house in Iowa was built within the area called “Half-Breed Tract” at the site known as Nashville, later as Galland, just north of Keokuk. Dr. Isaac Galland directed the building of the school in October, 1830. Early schoolhouses were invariably constructed of logs since pioneer skill could build them of material near at hand with few implements besides an axe. The first frame schoolhouse in Iowa was built at Muscatine in the year 1840. Ten years later, in 1850, the first brick schoolhouse in Iowa was “old No. 2”, built in Muscatine on Third Street between Spruce and Locust. It was torn down in 1879.

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The first school of record in Muscatine was opened in May, 1839 by J.A. Parvin. In the village then called Bloomington, Parvin leased a small cabin for $8. He depended on the tuition he was able to collect from the parents of his students for his income. History does not record the curriculum nor the tuition fee, but the instruction probably was confined to the three “R’s” and the receipts were modest. In 1839-40, Parvin moved his classes to a building near the court house square and in the spring into quarters on Iowa Avenue. A humble beginning for a school system that now encompasses 15 years of education, kindergarten through two years of college.

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One of the amusement and educational features of Muscatine during the summer season was the Chautauqua Assembly, held at the Citizen’s Railway and Light Company’s beautiful grounds. The first assembly was given in 1906. A fine auditorium was available for shelter and space was available for 150 tents for campers. The park was on the street car line so transportation to and from the grounds was not difficult. No expense was spared in getting the best lecturers including William Jennings Bryan. The best musical organizations on the road at the time were contacted to perform at the annual Muscatine Chautauqua.

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School construction was under way in Muscatine during October of 1908. Work had begun at both the Lincoln School unit and Franklin School addition. On October 23 excavation at the site on Mulberry Avenue for the new Jefferson School was begun when shrubbery was removed and the ground broken for the new structure. The steam shovel which was to be used in excavating the site was expected to be set in place with work to begin at once. School officials, present at the ground breaking, reported good progress on all school construction plans.

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The Governor of Iowa, George A. Wilson, spoke at the dedication of Muscatine’s new high school on October 9, 1939. Rt. Rev. Msgr. W.L. Hannon gave the benediction. The mayor, Samuel G. Bonner, Board of Education present, R.R. Dunker, and Miss Jessie Parker, State Superintendent of Public Instruction also spoke briefly. On May 8, 1937, plans began to take form for the building constructed at Ninth and Cedar Streets. The building was used on June 9, 1939, for the annual commencement exercises and it was open to public inspection on June 15. On September 5, 1939, classes opened for 1,012 students in four grades. It was used until 1975, when it was converted for use as a junior high school.

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