This is an attempt to start a series of caches hidden near by
historical sites in the County of Riley. While geocaching in the
counties of Riley and Pottawatomie I have noticed how many
interesting places have been preserved from the past. I have
started a small research on current historical sites and I have
started a list of sites I intend to visit first and hide caches in.
The idea is to invite fellow geocachers in the area and visitors to
search for caches in those sites that have an easy public access
and a rich history to share with us. Just a little effort to bring
the past into the present and don't let it fade into
forgetfulness.
MCDOWELL CREEK SCHOOL
This cache will bring you to visit an old school in Riley
County. The school was built in the 19th century when Riley County
began developing. At that time many towns were fluorishing in the
area as you may read down below.
POPULATION BY FEDERAL CENSUS.
| 1870. | 1880. |
+---------------+
(a) Ashland Township . . . . | - - - | 256 |
(b) Bala Township . . . . . | - - - | 681 |
(c) Fancy Creek Township . . | - - - | 769 |
(d) Grant Township . . . . . | 616 | 1,095 |
(e) Jackson Township . . . . | 1,249 | 4,054 |
(f) Madison Township . . . . | - - - | 727 |
Manhattan City . . . . . . . | 1,173 | 2,105 |
(g) Manhattan Township . . . | 796 | 961 |
(h) May Day Township . . . . | - - - | 705 |
Ogden Township . . . . . . . | 530 | 828 |
(i) Swede Creek Township . . | - - - | 689 |
(j) Zeandale Township . . . | - - - | 569 |
+---------------+
Total 4,364 10,439
SCHOOL AND OTHER STATISTICS.
Settled with the kind of people that Riley County was, it would
have been expected that they would have taken a great interest in
the common school, and in academic and collegiate course of
instruction. This they have done and their present and prospective
privileges attest their zeal and devotion to these things. With
seventy-five school districts, ten of which are joint ones with the
surrounding counties, and with seventy school houses, the children
of school age have good facilities for an education, as the
superintendence of them has been good. The report of the County
Superintendent of Public Instruction for 1882, shows 3,887 persons
of school age; number of enrolled pupils, 2,641; average daily
attendance, 1,525; number of teachers required, 37 males, and 58
females. The average pay of male teachers is $34.70 per month; of
females, $29.19. During the year male teachers have taught 213
months; females, 312. The average number of weeks of instruction
for a district is 25. There have been four private schools, taught
by females; one by a male teacher. The average levy of district
school tax is 11.3 mills for the year 1882. The bonds voted for
schoolhouse purposes in 1882 are $12,200. Bonded indebtedness of
the district is $18,700.
(from William G. Cutler's History of the State of
Kansas first published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago,
IL.)
The following map from 1887 depicts where the schools were
located within the Riley County limits.
Today this old building has been catalog in the Kansas Historic
Resources Inventory, however it has not been included in the
National and State Registers of Historic Places yet. It currently
serves as a duplex for two purposes. You will see that a house has
been built next to the limestone building which is used as a
storage building.
The cache is hiding across the school in the right of way on
McDowell Creek Road. There is no need to go near the building or
the house. Don't park on the shoulder of the road but use the dirt
road next to the mailboxes. You are looking for the lunch box I
took to class the last day of school.