Sunnyside School Bell Tower

Built: 1875

Dedicated: 2018

​Step into the past and journey back to the late 19th century, where Sunnyside School proudly stood at the bustling intersection of Main St. and Menomonee Ave. in Menomonee Falls. With its distinctive one-room design, Sunnyside was a hub of learning, shaping the minds of countless students for over 80 years.

Yet, even as the building was eventually slated for demolition in 2014, one integral piece of Sunnyside School's history was saved from the wrecking ball: the original Bell tower. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Menomonee Falls Historical Society member, Bob Cowan, the Bell tower was brought to Old Falls Village, where it became the model for a stunning replica that stands to this day.

This school was also known as the Haylett School after farmer Theophilus Haylett who donated the land for the original school in 1851. The cream city brick school building attached to this belltower replaced an older red frame school.

The exact location of the former School District #9, Sunnyside School was N83W18945 Menomonee Avenue, Menomonee Falls. The district was established prior to 1859. It is unknown when the first building was constructed. A later building was constructed in 1875. The building as shown in the photos was built in 1930.

It began as a one room school house and eventually expanded to a six room school. The architectural style is considered Front Gabled. It was constructed of brick.

In the early years of school history, male students and female students were not allowed to associate with each other. The older photos below show the separate male and female entrances.

As the years passed, Sunnyside continued to evolve, expanding to include two new classrooms in the summer of 1952. Between 1956-1958, Oakwood School District, North Hills (Fussville) School District and Sunnyside School District merged with the School District of Menomonee Falls. However, despite these changes, the spirit of the school remained the same, fostering a love of learning and community that lasted well beyond its closure in 1961.

​But even as Sunnyside School ceased to function as an educational institution, its legacy lived on. The building was repurposed as a storage facility for the School District, a testament to its continued importance to the community.

Village of Menomonee Falls Staff. Menomonee Falls at 125 A Timeline In Village History, Village of Menomonee Falls. April 1st, 2017. Accessed April 26th, 2024. https://www.menomonee-falls.org/DocumentCenter/View/8700/Menomonee-Falls-at-125-A-Timeline-of-Events-in-Village-History?bidId=.

Menomonee Falls Historical Society. Photographs and Memories: A pictorial History of Menomonee Falls. Edition Second. 1977. Menomonee Falls, WI . Menomonee Falls Historical Society, 53051.

State Historical Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society. Property Record-N83W18975 Menomonee Avenue, Waukesha Historical Society Architecture and History Inventory. Accessed April 26th, 2024. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI8133.