Amedee School, Part II

Amedee School Children on the first day of the Big Snow, Tuesday, January 11, 1911. Left to Right: Thelma James, Tom Lally, Minnie Meeske, Fred Meeske, Rita Martin, Sadie Meeske, Norma Jeanne James, Frank Martin and Gregory Martin. Courtesy of Marie Herring Gould
Amedee School Children on the first day of the Big Snow, Tuesday, January 11, 1911. Left to Right: Thelma James, Tom Lally, Minnie Meeske, Fred Meeske, Rita Martin, Sadie Meeske, Norma Jeanne James, Frank Martin and Gregory Martin. Courtesy of Marie Herring Gould

In September 1909, there was a resurgence of prosperity in Amedee and the school re-opened its doors to sixteen students. In 1916, another attempt was made to build a schoolhouse. On April 7,1916, a bond election was held—a $1,500 measure. The bond was approved and it generated a 100% voter turnout, though four of the voters opposed it.

Amedee School, 1916. D.M. Durst Collection
Amedee School, 1916. D.M. Durst Collection

J. C. Thornburg built the bungalow style schoolhouse that summer. On September 23, 1916, dedication ceremonies were held. In 1919, the Caloreta School at Wendel was closed and annexed to Amedee. By 1922, the majority of school age children were located at Wendel, and the school at Amedee was closed and the children were moved into the abandoned Caloreta schoolhouse. While school was held at Wendel, the district retained the Amedee name. In 1936, the abandoned schoolhouse at Amedee was sold to Mabelle Johnson for $100 and it was moved from the town and converted into a private residence. In 1953, the Amedee School District was annexed to the Shaffer Union Elementary School District, as part of a school district consolidation. The school, however, remained opened at Amedee for the next two years. In 1955, three students comprised the last graduating class: Virginia “Ginger” Backes, August Nauyoks and Chester Nauyoks.

It is never too late, subscribe today and enjoy tomorrow with daily notifications. You can also surprise someone with a gift subscription

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.