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Students first held class in log schoolhouse

Photo at left: Abraham Hackett’s son and five daughters all were teachers. They taught in this school, which is now a private home. More Mystery Place photos in the GALLERY

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The former Island School, built in District No. 3 of Whitewater Township, is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 89 and Island Road. In the spring of 1841, David Hamilton arrived and settled in this neighborhood.

He had a large family and the eldest daughter, Elizabeth, taught school for both their family and family of Abraham Hackett, who brought his family to this area in August 1839.

School was held in the Hamilton’s home. According to Butterfield’s History of Walworth County, Hackett’s oldest son, as well as his five daughters, all became teachers.

The first school was a log schoolhouse built just east of the present building, which is now a private home.

The school was 25-by-20 feet and 11-1/2 feet high. Records indicate the building had a chimney that was 16-by-16 inches. There were 78 square feet of blackboard.

The district clerk in 1871 was Thomas Leeke, and the teacher was Viola Warner. The district clerk from 1893-96 was Will Doud. In 1902, the district clerk was James Hackett, likely Abraham’s son.

In the 1909-’10 school year, the teacher was Della Malcomson. She had a second certificate, two years experience, 20 pupils and received a salary of $30 per month. But by the end of the year, records indicate that Helen Henderson was hired to teach the final 53 days.

Henderson, however had no experience teaching and had only 17 pupils. Her salary also was $30 month.

The school closed in 1945 because of low enrollment and a teacher shortage.

The last teacher at the school was Ethelyn Roe. Her salary was $135 per month for teaching eight students.

At the end of that year, the district joined Joint District No. 1, which included parts of Rock County and districts in the townships of Whitewater, LaGrange and Richmond.

Across the road to the south was a cheese factory. At one time, there were six cheese factories in the township. To the south was a Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1873, according to a township plat book, the road to the west did not exist. However, town records indicate that the road both east and west of Highway 89 was approved in July 1846.