The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-09-03
History of schools Ia 81. Paul.

Esq, 90 behalf of the Board Of Education.
made a very interesting statistical state
me'lt- reviewing the history Of The shoots 10
this city, from iS41 to tbs Tuna, Mr.
HoRS has kindly furnished thls statement
for publication:
Henry J. Horn. on behalf OF the Boarl al
/ Education, stated thai with the aano anremert
IL the newspapers already u,ade, that tne
! schools soail he opened on the "a Monday a.
September ls55, the Board Of Education con.
. gra'nlaied tie public hat CT the same day
would be opened for instruction n commolions
stone School House. the subjec; of the present
dedication substantial in IS structure, taste.
ful In It's architecture, and which would readily
accommodate at least $50 scholars ior whose
advantage aud future weil.hcing II was desigu-
ed. That this was the iit9t scaGo, house ba;it
at the pubic srpfase 10 the city u ST. paai.--
Mr. H. reoarred 10 the history 81 the Common
School systom in tie city Of 81. Paul
The first school {except TIE missionary
schools) was oonencnced ia he summer Of
lSl7, on the site Of the Frat preshytetiaa
Church, nader the auspices o; the Rev. DR..
williamson.
; The lady who conducted this hoo! gives
the following interesting account Of IL:
The building devoted 10 this purpose vask
mud walled log house, ten by twe've---s hrica
roof--three STA light windows, ani q door
which | must -toop 70 enter. This buiidAS
had once been a stable, afterwards u back
smith shop On three s,les pins had been driy
/ en- INTO the logs and boards placed across for
seats. chair yss appropriated for my use
cross logged, riskeiy table occupied lne eentft
Of The room. Here, with nine pupils happier
than II had been queen. and feeling that
would not exchange situations with any person
living, commenced the first school ever taught
+ IN Minnesota.
: or these nine scholars but two were white
/ children.
Thus, IN Our nlds,. or a spot now consecra
/ ted by church edifoe. the torch 81 knowledge
MAS lighted on our soil about ia feeble rays
clustered the youth 0. our land, and even the
/ red children Of our Territory were attracted
( byit, from that time it has blased with stead
/ Ter and brighter fame, and with the blessing Of
J God, shall SO continue until Il food our broad
land with the light Of intelligence and truth.
/ The frat school house built In ~. Paul was
erected in 1915 Oh -. Anthony street, near the
! First Presbyterian Church, by private subscrip.
ton. II was a small one story wooden build
4 ing, painted brown, familiar 20 our citizens
! 1t was destroyed By the late disastrous fire on
that street. In'lsAg this Territory was organ.
( lied by act q Congress and IN November LIST
Of that year. the first Leg stature tbs, ever held
/ its sessions in this Territory passed al act en-
I titled g An act 70 establish and maintain com.
mon schools" This act required tia, fund
should be provided for the " educ alton Of al
/ the children and youth Of Che Territory
/ 1t also provided for the erection OF school
districts, and the election Of school trustees,
and was in its details essentially the same az our
present general school law.
/ Thus was the system Of public ns,ruc ton
sanctioned by law in the year o. the foundation
of or government
! Shortly after The passage Of this law, and in
/ the same year, meetings Of the citizens Of II.
/ Paul. mort Of whom are still residents here,
| were convened III tlis small school house, TO
take the fir, steps towards establishing the
{ cOiufnou sEupVl System IN 81 thH' y toH-
/ ni,.ee was appointed ard recommended the
! opening. " without delay Of three schools IN
/ ~. Paul, orc 10 Ice continued in ,hi- small
! school house, one 20 be conducted 10 school
/ honse intended 70 he erected on Jackson street,
! upon a lot which Mr., Vim. II. Randall % thi,
! place. offered to donate. and third to te held
! in he basement Of the Methodist Eyisc0pAi
/ Church. or In the lecture room o. the Rev. T..
/ u. Ne which had been rendered for ibe par
poae This Was fully concurfeA IN.
L. $50 a frame ,choo' houie the present
+ one, now in use, was built 90 Jackson street
/ Gy private subscription, On ihe lot referred 10,
( The school house ~ {. Anthony street va
subsequently abandonoa, and Ia 10 the scboo.
rfyste:s pafciGe u 7 an,e dss 'iins, ra.-l
! they converted INTO /, school house. Oh Waurt
/ street; Sass is the valiant street school.
: GA the II; o March. ls,e. ne present Board
0. Education Of tho city % 81. Paul was o.
gaaized ~ the Legislature the art providing
~ the election of three sch col inspectors from
saca wagd, who wth the Ma yof. constitute tie
board.
be school Trustees wcfs .apsrse.s BY ih.s
neg 9ruariys on AMI on March iqtb, I-,.,
III. acl u til Legislatufs was modified and
. amended srs'.ny a BE Board Additional pos
ers nd resoarets [ adler tbif nev sys,egG Ale
B5ari q Ed.cstGu CONNIE need the present
boAaiifll bal Ing ast ye.r, and during the Grs.
yc4f Of her o,gsn'zston. md Eow offer Il 10
,he public A. aIaoDg the hTst fruits 81 then -
bore.
( Il was bni. by VI Branch q the ars; ward.
ia dimensions are 80 by 81 feet. TIE aTti
I story. vh.ch i. divided iato fve .'hDol roors
~ Twelve feet b ~. The sccond story, wtch
pro, les ODE large school room, IL y feet h,gh-
tits weil Lighted. ventilated and comp lete ia ~