Stolley Park Elementary School

Panthers

1700 West Stolley Park Road
Grand Island, NE 68801

Friday
August 29, 2008

Carrie Kolar, Principal

	Phone:	308 385-5913
	Fax:	308 385-5722

Sketched by Cynthia Duff

Stolley Park School began as a private school in 1864. The first teacher was Theodore Nagel who taught his classes in German.

Official records date back to 1871. Records show that at that time there were 17 students in regular attendance with 215 days of school.

In 1884-1886 mill levies were established to build a brick building on the present site. These two original rooms are still in use.

Stolley Park was named after William Stolley who was one of the first settlers in the Grand Island area in 1856. Mr. Stolley served as one of the directors of the school for 40 years.

In 1893 the district voted $1300 to build a house and stable for the teacher as well as providing a salary. Stolley Park was the only school district in the state to do so.

Until its annexation by Grand Island, Stolley Park was a K-8 Class I school. It was the first Class I Elementary district to hire a full time music teacher. Stolley has had three Junior Misses as graduates.

Stolley Park has had two additions to the original building. One expansion to the north and south was in the early 50's. The second expansion to the west added several classrooms and a large gymnasium.