West Big Creek, District 61

By Alysia Schwarz

West Big Creek was located six miles south and one mile east of Grinnell, Kansas. It was established on May 24, 1923, and perfected on August 2, 1923. Grades one through eight was taught here. Classes started at 9:00 in the morning, and students were dismissed at 4:00 in the afternoon. Students were taught Spelling, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, U.S. History, Kansas History, Physiology, Civil Government, and Agriculture. The students who attended the school were anywhere from five to twenty years of age. The most students ever enrolled were twenty-five, and the least was three. The school was a one-room school house, approximately 22 x 26 feet. Also located on the school grounds was a barn, approximately 12 x 24 feet, two outdoor toilets, one windmill, one travel ladder, and one merry-go-round. The school closed in 1943 because there was a lack of students. The few students that did attend the school were sent to Grinnell. I found most of this information in the Gove County Register of Deeds office in Gove, Kansas. They have a package of all the historical schools in Gove County. It is open to the public. I also found information in the History and Heritage of Gove County. The pictures below came from the Warrior 1980 Yearbook. Back to Home

Click Pictures for Larger Image