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The Columbia School
was a two room building for many years. In the early years, the
Dewhurst School was about a mile and a half south of Columbia.
It was known as the Primmer School and existed until the larger school
in Columbia was built. It was the first school in Wisconsin to
have school buses for transporting its students to and from school.
Then the two consolidated. The photo above was taken in about
1906 with Mr. Barber as the teacher. (Photo contributed by
Ruby Yndoglitato/Clark Co. Press).
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School Memories
Early July 4th Celebration at Columbia School
In the early 1890's a one room school was
built in Columbia. Ann Wright of Neillsville was the first teacher.
Then there was Inez Short, (she married a Columbia man, Fred Wright.) Susie
Korman, Grace Fergusen, Myrtle Beardsley and Mayme Breed.
In 1900, the school building became too
small as there were about 85 pupils. A four room school was built ( the building
in the photo above) with two rooms on the main floor being used for up to grade
eight. It was thought that as Columbia grew in population the upstairs would
be used for a high school. The upper floor was used as an auditorium as it
had a stage. Many home talent plays were given there.
For two years, Nell Ruddock of Neillsville
was principal. Charles Brooks of Granton was then principal for two years,
followed by Ted Barber, then Mabel Tylor. Teachers of primary were Alma Anderson,
Mary Norton of Thorp and Edna Klopf of Neillsville.
Columbia was the first school in Wisconsin
to have a bussing system for transporting students. There were five horse
drawn busses and many educators came to see how the bussing was working out.
The Columbia school was closed in January
1945 and the building was sold at an auction in 1952. It had been built of
very fine lumber and material. Art and Jane Ehlers bought the building.
Ruby Poetner Yndoliato purchased the 500 pound school bell for her son who wanted
the souvenir.
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