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Taft, July 2002, dtaft@cowtown.net McGhan School 1847 – 1948 Historic McGhan School Consumed By Flames Source: Fennimore Times – Wednesday, February 11, 1948 Century-Old School site Is Closely Related to Fennimore History The McGhan school southeast of the city, almost legendary in Fennimore history, burned to the ground Friday morning [February 6, 1948] while local firemen stood powerless to prevent the spreads of flames started from an overheated chimney. Inadequate water supply prevented effective fire fighting. Mrs. Mae Blackburn, teacher, was holding classes at the time the blaze was discovered. Those of the McGhan school student body who had contemplated a long vacation from school are no doubt somewhat disappointed. The school board arranged to hold school in the tenant house on the Roy Napp firm, where classes were resumed on Monday. Thus an era in local history covering a span of a full century comes to at least a temporary halt. The original McGhan schoolhouse was built in 1847 and there has been a school house on the original site ever since. Much of our early history is tied up with the school and it founders. First School Held in 1848 Silas McGhan, one of the early settlers in this vicinity, came to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1847 and settled on a farm near the site of the school. That summer he donated an acre of land on the southeast corner of his place for a school grounds. The first building, known as the No. 1 school, consisted of a group of wagon covers mounted on a wooden frame to form a "tent" school. Miss Cynthia Pratt taught three months in the improvised shelter in the fall of 1848. Thus the No. 1 school, later named the McGhan after its founder, became the first institution of public education in the township of Fennimore, which in those days comprised a much larger area than the township we know today. M. P. Smith Taught in 1853 In 1849, Ben Shearer took over as teacher. Later in 1853, M. P. Smith, one of Fennimore' s pioneer citizens, father of the late Ira W. Smith, taught school the school, and the following year his wife took over the teaching duties. At that time the Smith family lived in a log cabin not far from the school grounds, on the R. F. Green farm. In 1850 a number of families came to the McGhan district, including the Dillons, Switzers, Smiths, Earls, and McLimans. They formed the nucleus of what was to become a thriving community known as Fennimore Center, and which later became the village of Fennimore. Through rebuilt and changed thru the years, there has nevertheless been a McGhan school every since that humble beginning in 1847, and the events which are directly related to its history would fill many of volume. It remains for history to record whether the year 1948 marks the end of the McGhan school era or simply another chapter in an unfinished story. McGhan School - District 41, Fennimore Township, Section 29 Source: "Many Into One: A History of the One-Room Rural Schools: Fennimore Community School District," Compiled by Harriet Brun and Ingeborg Froiland, May 2000. Began in 1849 - First school meeting minutes September 26, 1859 1860 - Mrs. L. W. Sanford the teacher for winter term - M. P. Smith elected Treasurer of McGhan School 1861 - 24 cords of wood - 2 1/2 ft for $20.00 1862 - 6 months of school - 3 months winter - 3 months summer - 10 1/2 cords of wood 1864 - Cord of wood $2.75 - 9 months of school - 4 months winter - 5 months summer $300.00 for purpose of building schoolhouse. 30' x 40' from treasurer report - 35 cents - broom - 25 cents for chalk Board had discretion as to what kind of teacher (male or female) 1867 - Noted that very few present at annual meeting. 1868 - Wood building built after much discussion and haggling as to whether it be built of stone or wood. 1869 - Sarah Osborn, teacher received $25.00 per month. Cleaning schoolhouse cost $5.00 1884 - Cora Dinsdale - teacher 1876 - Dora Walker - teacher and Mae Hoard - voted to build outhouses 4x6 at $6.00 materials to be furnished by district 1878 - The Board is to gather to visit school, 1/2 day each month. Also noted "Board to instruct teacher to keep good order and the scholars to get "there" lessons." Board to hire male teacher if one can be got on reasonable terms for winter term. E. McDermot hired for winter term. 1880 - Do to small attendance during past winter term, there be no winter term the present school year and in lieu of 3 terms of 3 months each as henceforth there be a fall term ending before the holidays and a 3 months spring term ending before July 1st. The district paid tuition to other districts if the students wanted to go to school during winter term. 1948 - Burned in winter of 1948 - after fire school was held in second house on farm now owned by Roy and Donna Miller on Highway 61. Following year, students went into City of Fennimore to school. Teacher at time was Mrs. Mae Blackburn.