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Original Building
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- 1886--Seedling Mile School was first organized as District #1,
Stolley Park School. The school was a one-room structure. It was
the first brick school in Hall County.
- 1888--On February 25, according to an article in the Grand
Island Independent, the School District #1 very nearly surrounded
the city of Grand Island and was divided into two districts, due
to some unpleasantness between the eastern and western
portions.
- The eastern part was set off as School District #74. The
patrons elected D.S. Roush as moderator, Hy. Reese as director,
and Marvin Stelk as treasurer.
- Mr. Fred Knaack was the first teacher. He was paid $50.00 per
month. There were 37 students enrolled.
- 1889--There were 38 students enrolled. The teacher, John
Stryker, was paid $580.00 for the year.
- 1912--A second teacher was employed. During this year, another
room was added to accommodate an increasing enrollment.
- 1915--The Lincoln Highway Association preached to the public,
"Great oaks from little acorns will grow; long roads of concrete
from 'seedling miles' will spring". So began one of the most
successful activities of the Lincoln Highway Association. With
cement donated by the Portland Cement Co. and funds raised by
local sponsors, one-mile concrete sections were constructed in
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska. On November 3, 1915, Grand
Island became the first Nebraska city to complete a 'seedling
mile'. It was opened to the public on November 16, 1915. It is
believed that a small portion of the original pavement still
exists. This was the start of the paving which ran east down
today's Seedling Mile Road to Seedling Mile School. District #74
became Seedling Mile School.
- 1925--Grades nine and ten were added, requiring two more
teachers to be hired. A few years later another teacher was
employed and more rooms were added.
- 1944--Ninth and tenth grades were discontinued due to higher
salaries and a shortage of teachers. Seedling Mile became a
kindergarten through eighth-grade school.
- 1955--Two more classrooms were added, connecting one of the
old rooms to an office and library area. A bond issue was passed
for $5400.00 to finance this addition.
- 1960--Funds were made available for adding two more classrooms
and storage.
- 1968--A large portion of the Seedling Mile School District was
annexed to the city of Grand Island. Due to a provision in the
Nebraska School Laws, the annexed part could not become a part of
the Grand Island School District for one full year after the
ordinance became effective. Due to court actions, other reasons,
and by agreement between the two districts, District #74 (Seedling
Mile) continued to operate until the close of the 1972-73 school
year.
- 1973-74--Seedling Mile became a part of the Grand Island
Public School System. In 1975, two temporary classrooms were moved
in from another site. They were used for P.E. and other Special
Services.
- 1981--James Cannon and Associates were authorized to develop
plans for a new school. The project was delayed for 10 years and
approval for a new building was finally given in May, 1990.
- 1986--The centennial of District #1/Seedling Mile Elementary
was celebrated during the 1986-87 school year with various
activities. A history box was made, and mini courses, reminiscent
of days gone by, were taught to the students. Also, an original
musical was created and performed.
- 1991--A beautiful new building was erected utilizing part of
the old structure. A brick wall that had been part of the original
building was torn down, reconstructed and now is part of a display
housing books and mementos donated by former students. Items were
gathered from each grade level to be buried in a "time capsule."
Items such as student artwork depicting the school's history, a
video about the school, pencils, and various other items that
represented that era.
- 1997-98-- Sixth grade was incorportated into middle school,
creating a K-5 building.
- 2002-2003-- K+ was added to the building to support an extra
boost for learners. Approximately 10-12 students stay all day to
immerse students in language experiences.
Seedling Mile Elementary
History of Seedling Mile School from a Child's Perspective
-This story and these illustrations were created by second grade
students.
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