Schools: Charleston

 Charleston School, which was located in Charleston Township, Section 15, is the rural school of the month and the sixth in our series.  The majority of information for this article is taken from the personal collection of Mr. Don Wagner, which includes childhood school memories from former students of Charleston School along with other sources he has collected over the years.

Although the town of Charleston had not been established yet, Charleston School was the first in the township of the same name and was built in 1839.  It was described as a big chinked-log building with a window on either side wall, a door at one end, and a fireplace in the opposite end big enough to handle a six-foot log. 

Seats were split logs flat side up with pins driven into the under side for legs.  A flat board against the wall supported by angled braces served as a desk at which pupils took turns standing and practicing writing. 

Eventually, the old log structure was replaced in 1880 with a one- room frame building; records show that in 1895 another room was added, making it necessary to hire a second teacher.

  Photo of a 1946 Painting by Edna Swinderman Hawkins from the Don Wagner Collection

 Edna Swinderman Hawkins, whose school years were 1923-31, recalls that the school was located in the northeast corner of town and the Keokuk and Northwestern railroad passed through the east side of town right by the school; the students were often treated with candy tossed by the crewmen on “Old Jerky” as they were slowly gaining speed from the stop at the depot.  Basketball was played on a sod court; school programs were held on a “presentation floor”

with cotton-drawn curtains since there was no stage.  Edna writes that her learning was enhanced because as each class went forward to the recitation bench and was drilled by the teacher, she had the privilege of listening and learning from those students.  She eventually became a country school teacher and taught for 42 years. 

By the time May Barabra Wahrer Crowe went to school the Great Depression had taken hold and the railroad line was closed.  Since the school now consisted of two rooms, May described them as the Little Room for grades 1 through 4 and the Big Room for grades 5 though 8.  May enrolled in 1^st grade at age 5 because kindergarten wasn’t offered in rural schools; it was allowed by Iowa law in 1931. 

 School days began with singing songs from The Golden Book of Favorite Songs and sometimes the students could choose their favorites.  May’s entire class of 1939 consisted of three students; in order to graduate state tests had to be passed, two in 7^th grade and the rest in 8^th grade.  During May’s school days, graduation sites were rotated but most were held at night in the Baptist Church building, lighted by Aladdin lanterns and decorated with garden flowers.  May also remembers that many Charleston school students served their country in both World Wars, the Korean Conflict, and in Vietnam.

Deborah Naplin Appollo stated she was the last and only 1^st grader the year before Charleston School closed.  The year was 1959.  She describes the school as the “biggest thing she had seen next to my granddad’s barn” and as time went on, thought it was the most beautiful school there ever was.  The Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer were recited every morning and Deborah recalls that the students resembled a Norman Rockwell painting with their hands over their hearts.  The boards creaked when you walked across them and the floors had a definite slant.  The Christmas pageant was the best thing to happen during the year with a huge Christmas tree decorated with candy canes.

Now when Deborah hears people saying how horrible it must have been to walk two miles to school in the snow and go to the rest- room in an outhouse, she just smiles and remembers the warm autumn days swinging on the swing and listening to the crickets in the corn fields that used to surround the school on three sides; she says it was the best way to grow up.

      Photo Courtesy of the Don Wagner Collection, circa 1910

      Charleston School was the last school in the township to close in 1961 and for several years
      elections were held in the Big Room.  It was also convenient for school programs and
     community meetings.  Information on file shows that the building is located just off of Old
     Highway 218 south of Donnellson and was purchased by Mr. Bill Wuebkes.  

     The memories selected for this article are just a few of many from the Don Wagner collection.  If
     you did not have a chance to submit memories of your Charleston School days and would like to
     have them included in the collection, please send them to the Genealogy Department of the
     Donnellson Public Library, attention Erma DeRosear, Diane Kruse, or Carolyn Dischler.

     Researched & Contributed by Diane Kruse