Top - Lavine Nelson, Mildred Sampson,
Teacher: Mavis Hegge, Alge Slinde, John Aanonson

Middle - Maxine Nelson, Norman Nelson, Chester Nelson, Elizabeth Prindle

Front - Russell Ashley, Charlotte Nelson, Marilyn Sampson, Roberta Anderson

Below are some tidbits regarding the history of this picture:

School sessions were held in many locations before the permanent building in Section 28 was completed. The first school in this district was held in a board shanty owned by James Gerard, in Section 21. The next term was taught by Belinda Robinson in a claim shanty in Section 22. The first schoolhouse in the town and district was built in 1858, in Section 28.

Martin Hanson donated one acre for school purposes. Later in 1871 a new building was erected. The first teacher in this school was Nels Kalkon.

Mavis Hegge taught this school in 1942-43. Board members at this time were Joy Lillegaard, Gilbert Anderson and Casper Ashley. (From Mill of the Willow 1984)

It is impossible to state who was the first teacher but Belinda Robinson was the second term teacher. In the 1884 History of Mower County it indicated in 1872, the present framed house was erected on the old site, versus Mill of the Willow book which stated it was 1871.