Country Schools of the Northwoods (Tour)

Entries on This Tour

1. Site of Mercers First School/The Little Green Schoolhouse

As industry developed small communities sprung up around sawmills, lumber camps and railroad stops. Some of these places grew into the modern communities we know today, others disappeared with time. One of the very first institutions to be established in these communities was usually a school. This location is the site of the first school to be built in Mercer, know as "The Little Green Schoolhouse" due to its small size and unique color. It was overseen by Charles Moffit, an early pioneer and educator. It ran from 1894 until 1914 when another school was constructed to better suit the growing population.

2. Winchester Library-Winchester State Graded School

The Winchester State Graded School was built around 1910 by the Turtle Lake Lumber Company for the benefit of their employee’s children. It was one of two schoolhouses in Winchester, the other being near Birch lake. All materials for the building were harvested and milled locally by the Turtle Lake Lumber company. The building has two rooms, one was for the older student class room and the other for the younger class room, it also had an outhouse behind it. It was used for over 50 years before it closed. Since 1985 it has been functioning as a public library.

3. Manitowish School

Manitowish School was the first regional school along the Iron and Vilas county boarder. The Chicago Northwestern railroad usher families to the region and pioneer families built a school just three years after the railroad crossed the Manitowish River. Manitowish School quickly became a hub of community activities and place of community pride. As the town of Mercer grew, Manitowish School realized declining enrollment, consolidation became inevitable around World War II.Travelers can enjoy a limited view of Manitowish School by car, the Mercer Bike Trail, or paddling on the Manitowish River. Property around Manitowish School is private, and travelers can look from Highway 51 or the bike path. Private property should be respected by all travelers.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Country Schools of the Northwoods

Created by Mercer Library on November 1st 2023, 9:27:19 pm.

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Description

The most iconic symbol of any small community on the edge of the wilderness could arguably be the Country Schoolhouse. Often these building were the pride of their community, a symbol of their commitment to their children and their future. The Northwoods was scattered with Country Schools. Almost every lumber town, mining settlement, farming community and ethnic enclave had its own school. Today some of these buildings survive but many had passed with time. Some of these places are at the location of modern schools, we encourage visitors to view outside of school hours to respect the privacy of students. When viewing all locations and sites, we encourage the public to be respectful of private property and the privacy of individuals.

Entries on This Tour

Country Schools of the Northwoods

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