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 --later this was called the Van Horn Mill. This mill was much slower than the new steam sawmill.

   The close of the year 1865 found Villisca with three stores, a blacksmith shop, a doctor's office, and four or five dwellings. Phillip Spargur ran the blacksmith shop.  Dr. Huntsman had his office at the southwest corner of the square.  Morgan Thurman had a general store at the southeast corner, and John Swingle sold drugs and groceries at the northwest corner.

  In 1867 surveyors began preparation for the first railroad.  This created great excitement.  Immigration began at once, new buildings and businesses appeared.  In the fall of 1869 Villisca was no longer a dream but a reality.  Trains were passing through and strangers ceased being curiosities.

   The first real school house in the town was built in the fall of 1866. It stood on a knoll just east of the present high school site and was

	High School Football Team of 1903

 surrounded by hazel brush and sumac.  Home -made seats and desks were the best that could be afforded but it had a real stove.  Tommy Spargur boarded around as he taught.  He was followed by Elihu Davis, Aasbury Damewood, and Sarah Means.  This building served as a school until the demands of the district became too great and a brick building took its place in about 1872 where Lincoln School now is.  This first building was valued at $12,000. The census of 1880 showed 212 male and 205 female children of school age. 404 were enrolled but the average attendance was 248.  The average cost of tuition was $1.18 per month per scholar.  Several additions were made to this building. Later it was replaced by the present site in 1888 to be replaced by the present high school in 1914.  This building now houses both Junior and Senior High.  The present enrollment, 425 elementary and 202 high school pupils, is increased by the fact that many rural schools have closed and seven buses run into Villisca bringing rural children to school in town.