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In
1891, one acre of land on Williams Creek was bought for $1. A one-room
log cabin was built and School District #38 was established. In November
1897, in order to move the school away from the creek to a more accessible
area, a new 1-1/2 acre tract of land was bought for $5 in what is now
known as Albert.
In this new limestone
rock building, lessons were only taught in German for a number of years.
Later, however, English was also taught. By 1922, two teachers were
needed for the growing number of students so another room was added
with an enclosed porch between the two rooms. The school enrollment
at this time was 70 students. The new room was constructed of wood with
brick faced tin exterior. Each room also had its own chimney for the
wood burning stoves.
Reverend Arhelger tells
what he remember about the Williams Creek School, from about 1895:
"John
Merz taught us reading and writing in German and in English at the Albert
School... he was a scholar in his own right and a strict disciplinarian.
The primary language of instruction was English, even though there were
only two families in the community that were exclusively English-speaking
at the time. Farmers' children grew up on the farm in the cotton patch,
but they'd try to have all the cotton picked before school began
in September. It was important that the children did not miss school."
(from
M. Martinello with Ophelia Weinheimer "The Search for Emma's Story").
Another interesting fact is
that in 1920 and 1921,future President Lyndon B. Johnson was
enrolled as a student. In 1949, student enrollment dropped considerably
and the students were contracted to the Stonewall School District. On
June 12, 1950, the majority of the qualified voters in District #38
voted to consolidate with Stonewall.
Williams Creek School
(Albert) has established a community club and holds regular club meetings,
sharing meals, and playing cards and dominos. The school is also used
today for reunions, family parties and other community activities. |