| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation.
Sheboygan Falls School was built in 1928 as a high school and an elementary school was constructed on the site in 1949. These two buildings were connected with planned additions built in 1956, 1957, 1962 and 1963. A final addition was constructed in 1990. Sheboygan Falls School is the oldest intact school building in the community. As its longest-serving extant school, it is the building that best exemplifies the history of education within the City of Sheboygan Falls and the larger Sheboygan Falls Joint School District #1. From 1928 to 1969, Sheboygan Falls School served as the city’s only public high school and, following construction of the elementary school in 1949, it was the site of public education for all its school-aged children. The multiple additions constructed between 1956 and 1963 were part of a planned expansion program that reflects the growth of the community and its educational offerings during this time period.
Sheboygan Falls School also embodies the historic trend of school buildings as centers of community activity in the city. The first school building in Sheboygan Falls, built circa 1841, served as the location of socials, church services, and as a voting site. Similarly, Sheboygan Falls School has been characterized as, “an important part of the community and has contributed much to the growth of the city. It is the common meeting ground of the people, of all churches, industry, and residence.” Completion of the building’s construction phases were celebrated by local residents with open houses and dedication programs. As well, local citizen groups such as, “Volunteers for Better Schools,” were formed to raise money for materials and equipment to augment local tax funding of these school expansion projects. In addition to satisfying the general educational needs of its students, the Sheboygan Falls School curriculum was tailored to the community, as seen in its agricultural courses that saw an enrollment increase following consolidation and expansion of the school district to include surrounding rural areas. After the opening of the new high school in 1969, Sheboygan Falls School continued to serve kindergarten through eighth grades until 1999. At that point, following construction of a new elementary school, it was utilized as Sheboygan Falls Middle School until the school closed upon completion of the 2017-2018 academic year.
Also see AHI #243095 |
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| Bibliographic References: | Marie Calvey, A History of the Public Schools in the City of Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Sheboygan Falls, WI: Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, 1997.
“Bids For High School At Sheboygan Falls.” The Sheboygan Press, February 14, 1928, Page 7.
“School of Tomorrow Built for Today.” The Sheboygan County News, October 20, 1949.
“Completion of $550,000 Addition Climaxes Long-Range, 3-Part Plan.” The Sheboygan Press, November 9, 1962, Page 20.
Edgar A. Stubenrauch, Obituary. The Sheboygan Press, July 21, 1988, Page 7. |
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