Mishicot Historical Museum

An undated photo of the abandoned Zander School, which was located at 17129 County Road Q near Larrabee, Wisconsin.

From “Mishicot’s Meaningful Memories“:

Zander was in Gibson district number 3. In 1858 the first school in Zander was built of wood. After using it for a while, it was sold for $10.50. The second school was built of wood in 1870. There was no coat room. In the back of the room pupils hung their coats on hooks. In 1885 an addition was built on, because more room was needed. The seats and desks were wooden. Two people sat in one desk. The water bucket was used to carry water into the school (for washing hands) and for drinking water. This school was sold for $90.00.

The third school was built in 1916. It was 36 feet by 36 feet. It was a modern up-to-date school. It had a large entry. By the large entry was the stairs to the basement. The basement had a play room and big furnace which burned stoker coal. The school had a large cloak room and a little storage room next to it. A very small library was located in the Northeast corner of the building.

All older pupils had to help clean up the school and do daily chores. Someone had to fetch water for the school. The well was pumped by a hand pump. For the convenience of boys and girls two outbuildings were built in the back of the school yard.

The earliest families attending Zander School were of Norwegian and German decent. Names such as Zander, Hansen, Thompson, Kasten, Foreman, Lukes and Rehbein were familiar.

Many Bohemian families also settled in this area.