The first Jefferson School was built in 1869 and destroyed by fire in 1879. The second Jefferson School was built of brick on Second Street and Willow Avenue, and first used in 1880. It was condemned in 1919 and plans were made to construct a new building at 237 McDonald Street to replace both Jefferson School and Pecor School. That building was closed in 1991 when the new addition on Washington School was completed and all classes were housed there. The ceiling collapsed shortly after classes moved. The building was then razed. The land was traded for property where the new Oconto Elementary School was built.

Oconto County Lumberman
November 27, 1869

Friend Dobbins has been successful in securing a flowing well near the Jefferson School House.

"In 1875 there were 32 schools in the county (Oconto), with a total of 892 pupils enrolled, including six in Oconto – five public and the new parochial school of St. Joseph’s parish.  The others in town were the Washington school on Michigan and School streets, the Lincoln school on Jones and Adams; Jefferson school on Second street; Pecor school on Center street, and the Douglas school on the southwest corner of Messenger and Gale."  
Oconto County Reporter November 11, 1971
Oconto County Reporter August 31, 1878

F. W. Lee has been engaged as principal of Washington school and Mr. M. A. McGinnis as principal of Jefferson school.

The original Jefferson School building was reported to have been destroyed by fire on June 9, 1879.

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN - 1881
OCONTO COUNTY
PAGE 656
"The Jefferson school building was built of brick in 1879, at a cost, with site, of $5,500."

Rural public schools held classes for grades 1 - 12. The first separate public High School classes in Oconto County were held in one room of Jefferson School between Park Ave. and Superior Ave. on Second Street.  Organized in 1881, it was at first a 3 year program.  Students from outside city of Oconto boarded with city families, often earning their "keep" by working for these families. They did their homework late at night after chores and returned home to help with the family on weekends. High School was college preparatory work and students had to pass examinations to be admitted.  Professors taught the first classes. Their names included Professors Milton McNeal,  Lee, M. A. McGinnis,  Gould, and Ritter. The Valedictorian of the first three year graduating class was Edith Grunert. After enrollment began to grow, the High School was housed in  the Washington School building  on Michigan Ave. and School Street.

 
SEPTEMBER 4, 1919 - "The question of bonding the city for $40,000 for the erection of a new school building to replace the Jefferson school, recently condemned, was approved at an election Tuesday.  The plans are to construct a single eight-room building to replace the present Jefferson and Pecor schools." Oconto County Reporter

* "P. McKitterick, has been principal in the Jefferson school." Oconto County Reporter July 9, 1887
* Mr. Pratt was principal of Jefferson School in December 1887
* Louis Cota was a teacher of Jefferson School in 1890

Cleo O'Kelliher Jefferson School Teacher

 * Cleo O'Kelliher (Meeuwsen Flynn) attended Oshkosh State and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and taught in the old Jefferson School before her marriage in 1903.
 * Ora Pfeipher was second grade teacher in the Jefferson school in 1922
 * Eunice Elizabeth Ansorge Pierre, 97, 425 Pecor St., Oconto passed away August 20, 2003 at Bay Shore Pines CBRF. Eunice was born May 31, 1906 to the late George and Dora (Illef) Ansorge. She graduated from Oconto High School in 1923. Eunice graduated from Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1925 and taught in Oshkosh from 1926 to 1927. She taught in Oconto for four years and was Principal of Jefferson School and later Lincoln School.
 * Stella Ragen Henry was a teacher at Jefferson School during World War II

Jefferson School 
Oconto, Wi.
Kindergarten 1956
Donated by: LaVonne Brown

Please click on the photo below for a larger view 

contributed by: Lee Rockwell