For many of us, one-room schoolhouses are quaint places to visit to get a taste of long-ago history. Many small towns have preserved their schools to draw visitors. But a century ago, these little schools were a normal part of everyday life, a way to educate students of all ages. These photos of Minnesota schools in the early 1900s will show you that schools back then were nothing like they are today.

The first formal education in Minnesota, according to Minneapolis Public Schools, took place on the banks of Lake Harriet in 1834.
Library of Congress
As the years progressed, one-room schoolhouses took over.
Library of Congress
Students of all ages gathered in these little buildings to learn history, English, math, and more.
Library of Congress

Related Stories

The Native American Burial Site Found In Minnesota Is A Historical Wonder

The Native American Burial Site Found In Minnesota Is A Historical Wonder

 The Sibley House Is The Oldest Home In Minnesota And You'll Want To Visit

The Sibley House Is The Oldest Home In Minnesota And You'll Want To Visit

 Few People Know That Minnesota Is The Birthplace Of Tonka Trucks, The Tough Trucks Invented In The 1950s

Few People Know That Minnesota Is The Birthplace Of Tonka Trucks, The Tough Trucks Invented In The 1950s
With blackboards and wood-burning stoves, they were much different than schools today.
Library of Congress
Even school transportation was much different. This photo shows a homemade mounted sleigh — complete with a stove — used by one family in Beltrami County one cold winter. With no big yellow bus waiting for them, children relied on these means of getting to school.
Library of Congress
As the century progressed, regulations were put in place to decide which textbooks, disciplinary methods, and curriculum to use.
Library of Congress
Though early schools are almost unrecognizable compared to today's schools, they still hold an important place in the history of Minnesota and the U.S. as a whole.
Library of Congress

Did you know these little schools were so important to Minnesota history? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more old-school facts about Minnesota, check out our list of 11 unusual historical facts you didn’t know about Minnesota.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Minnesota