THE LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSE THAT COULD
This is the story of a school house that took a road trip up Highway 35 and settled down in Frederic on Lake Street, across from Coon Lake Park. Lincoln School No. 4 began its life in 1896 and was one of five schools serving Luck township. Located south of Frederic near the junction of State Highway 35 and 280th Street, it was a one-room frame building with no basement; the bathrooms were located outside; and the drinking water as well as the wood for the pot-belly stove was hauled indoors. The 1950 school census showed an enrollment of thirty-four students from fifteen families, and it was also a social center for many North Luck community events. Frederic resident Bruce Potter recalls that although he was too young to attend school, his aunt Edna Holcomb would take him to Lincoln with her. She was the school’s last teacher and when it closed in 1953, Bruce officially began school at Frederic and the other students were absorbed into the Luck system.
Now, the Frederic Post of the American Legion comes into the story. It was first organized by World War I veterans in 1920 and the group immediately began to impact the Frederic community with participation in area activities and sponsorships of groups including the Boy Scouts, as well as providing a color guard and rifle squad presence at parades, funerals and other special events. Indeed, Frederic Legion Post members served as the color guard to greet President Calvin Coolidge at his 1928 visit to Seven Pines near Lewis. In 1935 the Indian Creek veterans formed their own post, and the Frederic name was officially changed to American Legion Paul G. Johnson Post 249, named after the first adjutant.
As the post and auxiliary memberships continued to grow, the need for a permanent meeting place became apparent, and the Legion bought three lots on Lake Avenue in June 1951 for $225. Finally, in January 1957, the post purchased the Lincoln School building for $310, and the sale also included a piano and a merry-go-round! The former Lincoln School made the move to the Lake Avenue location in April 1957, where it rested on blocks until a basement and foundation was completed. The first meeting in the new Legion hall was held in May 1959.
Throughout the years, the activities and services of the Legion post were diligently performed: a meeting space for the Boy Scouts, fundraisers, pancake breakfasts, parades, Veterans Day programs and Memorial Day observances. When the Legion no longer needed a large meeting space, the property came under the authority of the Frederic Village. Coincidentally, the Frederic Arts board was looking for a permanent location and began to rent the facility in 2010. Frederic Arts was able to purchase the building in January 2018 and rename it the Frederic Arts Center.
Today this building, a wonderful example of local history, is once again being used as a classroom. Frederic Arts offers a wide variety of classes for all ages. For adults, our newest offering are pottery wheel classes. For youth, the Frederic Young Artists classes are being taught in partnership with the Frederic Library. Plans are being finalized to make the structure more accessible to all. Step one is a sloped sidewalk with handicapped parking allowing wheelchair access to the classroom area, and we are planning to implement this phase in 2023. Additional modifications to increase classroom space and add a fully accessible bathroom are under discussion as well, and more information is available on our website at www.fredericarts.org.
Frederic Arts’ mission “to create artistic opportunities and preserve the cultural fabric of our community through educational events and programs” is alive and well in the little school house. Whether it is enjoying a summer evening musical concert on the grounds, or participating in a batik class or a foraging walk along the lake, there is something for everyone at Frederic Arts – the little school house that could – and still does!
