Abandoned one room Schoolhouse in South Dakota
Jacobson Schoolhouse - Hinkhouse School, Armour South Dakota
State legislation passed in 1880 provided that a township could establish as many schools as needed, as long as they were at least two miles apart. By 1926, Jacobson School was formed and constructed.
Built in 1926, the school's simple one-room, hipped roof design was typical of late nineteenth century schoolhouse design in South Dakota. Often comprised of donated materials and erected with voluntary labor, it was common for communities to construct schoolhouses with a familiar form and known practices. The design of these structures relied heavily upon the established architectural styles familiar to its builders, primarily settlers who had emigrated from New England and the Midwest. The rural schoolhouse was also viewed as a cultural symbol of the community, giving it a strong connection to the church. Because of this connection, characteristics of the typical rural schoolhouse reflected familiar church architecture. Described as aesthetic, they were simple one-room structures built on temporary foundations with balloon framing, uninsulated weatherboard siding, wainscoting on the interior, and heated by a central stove. According to A Context for Education Development in South Dakota, "a schoolhouse that was well-appointed and carefully constructed, adapting architectural styles familiar to settlers from the East, symbolized the ideal of the community school. Simplicity in design and use of modest materials in construction of the school, however, always reflected the material limitations inherent in Plains settlement." The Jacobson School's design and construction reflects these characteristics.
The Jacobson School also played an essential role in the education of children through the mid-twentieth century. Consistent with contemporary trends, it had a mandatory attendance policy. The State of South Dakota passed a compulsory attendance law in 1915, requiring all children to attend school through the completion of sixth grade, and joined in nationwide efforts to promote civic pride and responsibility among immigrant families during the same period. By 1910, immigrants and their children (generally of Northern European origin) represented more than half of South Dakota's population. To handle this population influx and help immigrant families assimilate into American culture and society, the State legislature enacted a requirement in 1918 that all schools devote one hour a week to patriotism. Many school districts also supported individual chapters of the Young Citizens League or YCL, a statewide organization for students that promoted good citizenship, patriotism, and common courtesy.
The Jacobson School was closed in 1967 because of a declining population and local consolidation efforts. It continued to serve as polling place until the early 1980's.
Building Description
The Jacobson School is located in rural Charles Mix County. The simple schoolhouse was constructed in 1926 for the betterment of the rural community. It was constructed on land donated by Joseph Jacobson and named for him.
The school rests on a poured concrete foundation. The entire building is clad with wood clapboards. The hipped roof is covered with asphalt shingles over wood shakes. At the roof and dormer eaves are exposed rafter ends. The facade (south elevation) is has a one story hipped roof entry. There are exposed rafter ends on the entry. On either side of the entry is a window opening covered with wood paneling. Behind the wood paneling is a nine-over-one double hung window. A dormer is located on this elevation. It has a hipped roof and a vent in the window opening.
The west and east elevations are identical. They each have one small nine-over-one double hung window and six, large, nine-over-one double hung windows. Each window has a wood sill and lintel. The north elevation (rear) has no openings.
The interior has two restrooms on the south. Located in the center of the entry is a set of stairs leading up to the classroom and an additional set to the basement. The chalkboard is on the west side and platform/stage is located on the north wall.
Southeast elevation (2002)
