Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

feet; and the long, lush sweep of the Wapsipinicon
valley bordered by wooded bluffs and hills, that
constantly met its gaze.
“Winding through the village was the Old Military
Road from Dubuque, the nearest river port. Crossing
the river south of what is now the Riverside cemetery. it
climbed the hill toward Fairview and went on to Iowa
City the capitol of this new State of Iowa.
“The sound of the stage driver's hom announcing his
approach to the village, echoed and reechoed through
the valley and proved a far more exciting version to
pupils and teachers than the sight and sound of the
finest American Airway's transport would today.
“Nearly a century has elapsed since those ‘golden
school days‘. The wheels of ox cart and stage coach
have taken to themselves wings, and passengers are
‘on the way at infinitely faster speed, but we may well
pause to ask. ‘To what goal?’
“From the annals of Mr. and Mrs. T.E. Booth we ieam
the names of some of the first teachers. They were Miss
Algetha Hall, sister of the late Can‘ Hall, Miss Mary
Bass, one of flve teachers who came from New England
at the request of Ansel Briggs. first state Governor of
Iowa, 1846-50; Mr. C.T. Thompson whose wife was
Marcia Crane and who afterwards was first principal of
the Anamosa Public School; J.J. Huber, later Judge
Huber for whom Huber Street was named: Mr. H.D.
Sherman. later county superintendent of schools, and
others of more temporary residence in Anamosa.
“Because it was some years before every 16th section
of school land could be sold and funds realized for the
payment of teachers the early schools were supported
by voluntary donations and by tuitions paid by the
parents.
"On the second Monday of April 1859 an election was
held to decide whether the town and territory adjoining
previously attached for school purposes, should
become a separate and independent district in
accordance with certain powers conferrred by the State
Board of Education in 1858.
“In the election, a unanimous 70 ballots were cast in
favor of a separate district.
“The first Board of the Independent District was
elected April 19. 1959, and was composed of William T.
Shaw. president. Dr. J .S. Dimmitt. vice-president, J .J .
Dickinson, secretary. Israel Fisher, R. S. Hadley,
Roswell Crane and David Graham, directors. Everyone
of these men was a success in his own business or
profession, and fully committed to the purposes of free
education.
“During the summer of 1859. school was kept in
what was known as the ‘Brick School House, on
Strawberry Hill and in the United Brethren Church
which stood on the ground now occupied by Westphal's
grocery and meat market. (1941)
"The schools were kept in session 44 weeks out of 52,
and the school year divided into a summer and winter
term of 22 weeks each; with eight week's vacation
during the year.
"In the winter of 1859-60 the M.E. Church in West
Anamosa just purchased of the Congregationalists who
had moved into their new chuch uptown. was rented for
school purposes.
"In the summer of 1861, St. Mark's Episcopal Church
(the wooden structure on the same site as present
building) and the Congregational Church at the corner
of Main and South Booth were rented by the district.
“The public schools were held in these buildings and
~P.:-irn-“--"~‘!';'!"_"
‘-
“The Harriet Cunningham house" on South Sales.
which was the site of the "D.C. Place" Hostel in I939.
From May 1 through October 5. 1939. I .095 young
people visited the hostel, representing 22 states.
(Photo by Eldon J. Meeks)
other rented rooms until the spring of 1863 when a
brick structure was completed on the site of the present
school building. The United Brethhren Church brought
the first bell to the town and to the county in 1853.
After the church closed on account of deaths and
removals the bell was sold to the School District andi
still in use after 88 years of continuous service.
“Quoting the words of Mrs. T.E. Booth. herself a
talented pioneer teacher. ‘When I think of the trials.
hardships and poverty of the pioneers I wonder at their
determination that their children should have the
advantage of opportunities of which many of them had
been deprived. How they planned and worked and
taxed themselves to establish the system of free schools
that is enjoyed by the present generation.
“If the youth of today seem to take these advantages
for granted and as cheaply as the air they breathe, is it
not because it has cost them no more than the sunshine
slanting across their paths to school?
“We all fall short of measuring rightly. ‘the cost of the
priceless things‘, like free schools and churches, and
Christian homes in a free land, into which we have put
little or nothing ofour best selves.“
MISS CUNNINGHAM WRITES ABOUT ANAMOSA‘S
STREETS, 1941.
“Many of the streets in Anamosa are named for
native trees. There are two or three streets the origin of
the names of which is unknown. Garnaville. as first
spelled. is one of these.
“For many years this street, from First Street
running south, was known as Harmonville, for a family
of that name who built the one stone house in that
section. Col. Shaw's second wife was Rhetta Harmon of
this family.
“South Garnaviilo was also called Lover's Lane; its
shaded paths and privacy lending themselves to that
romantic use.
“Crane Street in west Anamosa was named for
Roswell Crane, head of a prominent early family who
afterwards built the house on Strawberry Hill now
owned by Mrs. Frank Porter.
"Helen L. Shaw was a daughter of Col. Shaw by his
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