Author Man
Jr. Member
- #1
Thread Owner
After perusing some old maps of Republic, I set out yesterday to find the Black River school which opened in 1904 and closed in 1918. I was looking for old coins and relics which I find is a fun way to waste a day. I parked Blue, my trusted ATV, at the base of a hill east of town, gathered my backpack and gear and started climbing up through waist high ferns, fallen trees that were hidden and slippery, and it was pure gut work climbing. I finally got to the top and stood on a rock bluff we are famous for trying to catch my breath and swatting flies that buzzed my head. I was on the top of the world and it felt good.....
It took me almost and hour to find my first metal but I knew I was on the right track. What I found was a weird looking six sided star of some type. Maybe a hub off the wheels of a wagon. I was estatic and have posted it in the gallery for you to see. I moved on and then I saw the foundation of the school. The square cement blocks formed an outline of the school and were covered with green moss. The bricks were only on three sides of the school. The front side is open. I've also posted a pic of the foundation. I figured it was a good time to take a break and found a cozy spot to sit down and ponder my find and give my aide de camp a quick call to share my joy......
It had been a one room schoolhouse and I wondered why it had been built at the top of such a big hill but then remembered that the Indians always built on the high ground and I guess it still holds true. Now, I could almost imagine the teacher sitting at her desk and a bunch of eager school kids staring back at her from those little desks with a hole for the inkwell. I could imagine a high chair in the corner for the dunce... Tom Sawyer. I sensed good vibes from this place with the birds chirpling and a soft wind slashing through the young Aspen trees that have those shiny leaves that glitter from the morning sun. I was glad I'd showed up for school....
Getting to work I hit the back side of the school and found it was probably a dumping area and came up with square nails, rivets and assorted metal from the building. It was hard work with the mosquitos attacking my sweating neck and head so it was time to pack up and find my way down the hill and back to town. Before I left, I took a walk around trying to figure out where the kids would play and where was the outhouse? Looking down the hill I saw a small pond and wondered if it was a swimming hole for the kids. And there was the road? It had been over a hundred years and I knew this wasn't going to be easy but it sure would be fun....
I love a puzzle. I love looking into the past. I'll be going back to that school in the coming days but coming up tomorrow is the annual fishing derby in Republic. It's fair game on the Michigamme river with $1,000 for the largest walleye. I plan to set up a table and hook a few readers to buy my book. Imagine that scene in 'Jaws' with those boats running into each other chasing the shark and you will get a picture of what it will be like in Republic this weekend. I'll post a blog on how that went next week......
Don't waste the weekend. Go find it, eh?
Come on over Thompy....
Gene the Author man......
It took me almost and hour to find my first metal but I knew I was on the right track. What I found was a weird looking six sided star of some type. Maybe a hub off the wheels of a wagon. I was estatic and have posted it in the gallery for you to see. I moved on and then I saw the foundation of the school. The square cement blocks formed an outline of the school and were covered with green moss. The bricks were only on three sides of the school. The front side is open. I've also posted a pic of the foundation. I figured it was a good time to take a break and found a cozy spot to sit down and ponder my find and give my aide de camp a quick call to share my joy......
It had been a one room schoolhouse and I wondered why it had been built at the top of such a big hill but then remembered that the Indians always built on the high ground and I guess it still holds true. Now, I could almost imagine the teacher sitting at her desk and a bunch of eager school kids staring back at her from those little desks with a hole for the inkwell. I could imagine a high chair in the corner for the dunce... Tom Sawyer. I sensed good vibes from this place with the birds chirpling and a soft wind slashing through the young Aspen trees that have those shiny leaves that glitter from the morning sun. I was glad I'd showed up for school....
Getting to work I hit the back side of the school and found it was probably a dumping area and came up with square nails, rivets and assorted metal from the building. It was hard work with the mosquitos attacking my sweating neck and head so it was time to pack up and find my way down the hill and back to town. Before I left, I took a walk around trying to figure out where the kids would play and where was the outhouse? Looking down the hill I saw a small pond and wondered if it was a swimming hole for the kids. And there was the road? It had been over a hundred years and I knew this wasn't going to be easy but it sure would be fun....
I love a puzzle. I love looking into the past. I'll be going back to that school in the coming days but coming up tomorrow is the annual fishing derby in Republic. It's fair game on the Michigamme river with $1,000 for the largest walleye. I plan to set up a table and hook a few readers to buy my book. Imagine that scene in 'Jaws' with those boats running into each other chasing the shark and you will get a picture of what it will be like in Republic this weekend. I'll post a blog on how that went next week......
Don't waste the weekend. Go find it, eh?
Come on over Thompy....
Gene the Author man......
