| Description |
at one time (1866) Manti was divided into four school districts, and that public school was taught in the Council House and the South Ward Assembly Hall. At that time the Board of Trustees decided two one-room rock (oolite) school-houses should be built. One faced west near Main Street, other was built just north of the creek, on Third South and First West. A Manti Messenger reporter in October 1892 made the following report about the children attending school in the First West Schoolhouse: "Many of the children are barefoot and badly in need of handkerchiefs," Also, he reported problems had been rectified in his report of 1893. Early photographs showed that the Main Street rock Schoolhouse had a plain roof, but a later photo showed the same building with a belfry. Thus, we know that our recent-1y found hell hung in that littXe Schoolhouse. The Manti Messenger of December 1893 reported: "We are looking forward to again hear the familiar ringing of the bell." Thus, their missing bell, "It rang for school-time, funerals, On New Year's Day, 1894, a large celebration was held Over five hundred people crowded its halls and classrooms for the program that afternoon. Even Utah's Governor Spry "The most modern school building south of Salt Lake City." This building was built to face the west on Tabernacle Square. It was an impressive, beautiful building which was heated by a "heating apparatus." Wide wooden stairs led to tne upstairs, and along with trie wooden floors, they were well oiled to keep down the dust and for wearability I 18 |
