Caledonia School No. 2

Mount Ayr Record News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Thanks to Mabel SHIELDS for allowing me to scan this photograph of the Caledonia schoolhouse. The last year the school was operating was 1960 and Evelyn WARRICK was the teacher. Her students included Dean and Beverly DEEMER, Barton and Joe SHIELDS, Gary SHIELDS, Dean SCOTT, Derald and Gerald NOBLE, Jim SHAHA, and Jerry SHIELDS. Mabel began teaching here in 1942. She was my eighth grade reading teacher in 1970-71 at Mount Ayr.

NOTE: Caledonia School was open for the 1959-60 school year. Upon closing, the building was acquired by Mount Ayr School District.

Caledonia, since 1855; Peak Pop. 270. For over 80 years Caledonia was an important community and trading center. Serving the area were two churches (Methodist and Baptist), a school, a doctor, a hotel, an I.O.O.F. Lodge, and a post office. There were also general and furniture stores, blacksmith and harness shops, and more. Times have changed. Now only the memories remain of the sturdy folks who lived here. They served God and their fellow man. -Ringgold County Historical Society.

Photograph and submission by Sharon R. Becker, May 22, 2009

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 15, 1960

Three rural schools in the Mount Ayr Community school district were sold Saturday at public auction for $697. Lotts Creek No. 2 (Caledonia) was sold to Orville Van WINKLE for $147; Lotts Creek No. 5 (Watterson) was purchased by Ted HIGHTSHOE for $200, and Poe No. 6 (Saltzman) went to Sam ADAMS for $350.00. Dennis OWENS was the auctioneer and Kermit MILLER served as clerk.