Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-08-23
The 6cheol House at Manc hester.

That Manchester can boast Of one
the best, and at the same time beauli-
fully designed and finished, school
houses in Iowa, cannot be disputed.
At the City District meeting in the
spring Of 1866 tax Of 10000 was
voted by the citizens of Manchester
for the purpose of erecting commodi-
Gus building to accommodate the
school population which up till last
spring has been crowded into the sin
gle room Of the old school house and
the basement of the Methodist
Church.
The foundation was commenced on
the Goth of July. 1866, and the brick
laid before the advent of winter by
Thos. Lloyd. of Dubuque, according
TO the plan furnished by Messrs. II.
NJ. Mongar and A. +. Townsend, of
the School Boar.l. which had been ap-
proved by Carroll, Of Davenport, q
superior architect. The interior finish
progressed steadily during the win
ter, and now shows what Mes.rs. Had
ley ard Kenyon can do in the way Of
woodwork when they try. The bel
fry and caves were timed by w. T..
Adams and Albert Balsin. The last
of the woodwork is now being finish.
ed BY II. c. Kenyon, and VIM. Tate.
assisted BY H. Cornish, is doing .
very handsome job Of painting and
granting.
The edifice is in the form of a cross,
being about 20 feet from east to ives,
and 50 feet from north to south, meas
uring through the center, and three
.torie. high. The distance from the
ground to the top of the belfry is
about los feet. On the first floor. to
which there are two entrances, are
two large halls. from which ascend
stairs to the second and third stories,
with ample landings on each floor.
Opening from the halls on each side
are two primary class rooms with
room for so pupils each. In the sec.
ond story are two class rooms Of the
same size, with recitation rooms at the
south end oflhe halls. The third story
has two recitation rooms and an ample
assembly hall 80 As and Is feet high,
with black plaster wall at each end
The plaster walls or recitation in the
building occupy total length OF
about 500 feet. Besides these rooms
are several closets for various purpos.
es. All the rooms are amply lighted
and ventilated. Cold air pipes below
each floor convey fresh air to the
stoves, and the draft Of air can be reg
ulated at pleasure.
In the rear are two priviss. separa-
ted by high fence. and screened by
. similar fence on the north side and
at each end. A well has been dug and
supplied with = pump, thus insuring Z
plentiful supply Of good water.
The bell weighs $50 pounds, ano
has very loud, sharp sound, which
can be distinctly heard at . long dis
tance. The seats have been purchas
ed, and will be put in place IN abou
two weeks. The building will accom-
MEDIATE 400 pupils. and about IS viii
be received from outside the city lin
its.
The total cost OF the house will b,
about $l4,50o. The School Board
have been very judicious in their ex
penditures, and the people Of Man
chester are generally pleased with tn,
style Of the building and the solidit,
Of it's construction. All agree that tn,
money has been well spent, aud non'
begrudse the price.
Prof Piper has been selected a
Principal, and An examination will b,
held on the 7th of August. at whicl
those passing the test most satisfacto
rily will be chosen to till the subordi
nate positions for the term, which wil
begin during September.--M Miachestea
Union -4ug. LIST.