Anniversary event is planned for April 24
By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent
Salem Grade School began in a brick building built 100 years ago in 1916, or so Principal Eileen Bruton thought.
When she began her search, she discovered a photo of an earlier wooden, two-room structure that was built in 1877.
“I was surprised,” she said, “and I have found other details in boxes stored in the school and some that former students have brought.”
Bruton also discovered that at one time, Salem was called Brooklyn. That was changed by John Cogswell, who arrived in the area in 1855. Since Brooklyn reminded him of the fast paced, New York City and the area was quiet, lush and green, he thought a name change would be best.
Cogswell had been born in Salem, Mass., and had fond memories of that area. He gathered the townspeople and they presented a petition to change the name to the state legislature. The rest is, as they say, history.
One written record explained that a wood frame, two-room schoolhouse was built for the Salem area in 1877 and cost $600.
In 1905, it was named Salem Center School and had 65 pupils.
In 1916, a new two-story, four-room building with a basement was built. The enrollment was less than 100 pupils. Ninth and 10th grades were taught on the top floor.
There were once five schools serving the greater Salem area. Liberty Corners School was located at the intersection of highways 83 and C. The structure still stands and is now Apostolic Jesus Name Assembly Church.
The other schools were Paddock Lake, Barnard and the Brass Ball Schools. There are records for Brass Ball School dating back to 1866.
These were consolidated into Salem Grade School, the order effective on June 30, 1951, amidst general protest from some area residents. Since each structure was small, children would move from building to building as they changed grades.
Additions to the current Salem Grade School building began in 1949. An art room, four classrooms and several lunchrooms were added at the cost of $83,000. There were 180 students at that time.
Before Westosha Central High School was constructed in 1953, students who graduated form Salem Grade School could attend either Wilmot Union High School or Antioch (Ill.) High School.
Other additions were built in 1954, 1956, 1959, 1964, 1965 and 1974.
The brick walls of that 1916 building are still intact, surrounded by the current structure with the additions built around it. The school’s garage sits in those original walls.
The original 1916 building consisted of two floors and a basement. The second floor was vacated and removed and the rest of the building was gutted during the 1954 addition.
Bruton explained, during a tour of the 1916 portion that still stands, about the stage in the basement.
“Many community events were held there,” she said, “and you can see the door to the coat check room is still in place.”
Bruton has had a great deal of help in researching the history and planning anniversary event, which is set for April 24.
Numerous people have served on a committee for research, interviews and organization of artifacts and material and there were committees that organized food, games, decorations and a staff performance. Bruton said there has been talk of dressing in historical clothing.
Another committee created the program, brochure and invitations for the event and School Pics, the company that takes yearly students photographs, donated 1,000 printed postcard invitations.
Bruton also said that the Western Kenosha County Historical Society provided a wealth of information.