The school was originally one of four situated in the Township. In early days school was held only for several months in the summer. In 1891, for example, the term ran from April 20 to August 20. The teacher was Alice C. Boss and the pupils were:
Florence and Maud Berlin, Susie Olson, Ida and Hugo Brueske, Mary Altringer, Silas Miller, Ida Swarthout and Josie Elefson, with ages up to 18. The teacher's salary was $30.00 per month.
In 1895 the term ran from June 5 to July 28.
Pupils were Tilla, Ida, Christina and Mike Michaelson, Sam. Ole,
Morris and Oliver Simenson, Melvin E. Michaelson, Charley and Earnest
Anderson, Mathilda, Elemena and Oleana Ellefson and Leonard Skaar.
That year there was available one dictionary, no library books, and only
one parent visited the school. Teachers did their own janitor
work, and were required to report on the condition of the building, the
outhouses and the stables, which in one case were said to be filthy.
The school board in 1900 consisted of Silas Miller, president
Tom Michaelson, B. E. Berlin, directors
and Howard Wilson, Clerk.
On August 1, 1916 a special meeting was called to decide upon consolidating schools in the district into one. The vote was 24 for consolidation and 19 against. For the site at or near the SE corner of Section 16, the vote was 18 for and 10 against.
On June 23, 1917 another special election was held to decide on bonding the district. Seventy votes were cast, 39 for bonding the district for $8800.00 and 31 opposing. The bonds were payable in 20 years from date of issue, bearing 4 percent per annum interest. The board resolved to issue the bonds and to levy an annual tax upon taxable property for the years 1917-1937. $352. was to be set aside for payment of annual interest and $440. to be put in a sinking fund to pay off the principal when due.
By 1918 the number of library books had increased to six and the
teacher's salary rose to $60 per month with 21 classes a day being held.
The new consolidated school building was erected and the first term
began October 1, 1918 and ran through June 27, 1919. The teachers
were Esther Pederson (Mrs. C. W. Michaelson) Anna Larson and Minnie
Anderson, with 76 pupils in grades 1 through 10.
On a cold winter morning on January 18, 1923 the janitor, who was also a bus-driver, had remarked to the other bus-drivers what a good draft the furnace had that morning and how he'd "fired it good.€ Not long after, pupils and teachers noticed smoke coming through the registers, so the building was hastily cleared, the children leaving behind their coats, caps, etc., which were lost in the blaze that followed along with most of the school equipment. School was held in several churches to finish out the term, and no school was held in 1924.
By 1925 a new school building had been erected and classes were resumed. The first high school graduation class consisted of Casper Thompson and Florence Walks in 1933, with some graduating each year until 1943 which was the last year a full 4-year high school term was held. The 1943 graduates were Albert Thompson, Minnie VenHuizen, Inez Cresap, Calvin Ekstrand, Gloria Jacobson, and Norman Johnson. After that classes were held only for grades 1 through 8. This continued until 1958 when reorganization plans were introduced. Although many were opposed to it the plan went through and Dover children were sent to schools in Wimbledon and Sutton, with buses picking them up. The school building was sold to Harry Dramstad of Sutton who razed the building, taking the usable material and the rest was bull-dozed into the basement hole, covered with dirt, and now is farmland.
During its active years the school was the social center of the community with PTA the highlight of each month, being attended by all family members, and many good programs being presented with both adults and children participating. A good lunch with coffee was served after the meeting by several mothers.
Usually a school carnival was held each fall, and the big event of the year was the Christmas program, both for its enthusiastic participants and the audience of proud parents. Plays were presented by the high school and also home-talent productions were presented. One of the latter was presented in other towns as well.
Sports had its place in our curriculum also, and everyone eagerly looked forward to the annual "play day" held in various towns. Even though Dover was one of the smaller schools competing in the events, the contestants came back each year with a goodly number of ribbons. Although the gymnasium was small and low-ceilinged, they had a basketball team, which was often victorious over teams from much larger, better equipped schools. For several years the gym was also used for roller-skating with the skates being provided by Carl Nyquist of Wimbledon who also operated a rink there. So the young people did not have to travel far to find good, clean fun, and those with an eye to romance found the school to be a good meeting place.
Today no trace of the once busy, active school remains except in the hearts and memories of those who spent happy years there as students, teachers or parents.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 283