Over 100 people celebrated the 120th anniversary of Kragero one-room school June 25. Owners of the property Tom Barthel and Gail Wilkinson opened the school and provided horse and wagon rides. The festivities began with a patriotic horse parade, followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the school steps. Potluck was served, including a hog roast. People enjoyed roasting marshmallows over the campfire. 

 

Kragero one room school got its name from several people who emigrated from Kragero, Norway to Santiago Township (north of Becker). Emigrants decided in 1897 there was a need for a school in the area and settled on the Jens Ellefson farm. The school building was also used as a church for several years.  The loan for the school building was $450, at 4 percent interest for 10 years. The first teacher who taught at Kragero school earned $100 for the entire school year.

 

That first year, school was only in session for five months.

 

Local resident Tom Barthel purchased Kragero school from Becker School district in 1995. The school closed in 1967 after it consolidated with Becker schools in 1967. At that time, there were sixteen students enrolled at Kragero.

 

Tom Barthel and his wife Gail Wilkinson have worked hard to keep the school in its original condition and have graciously allowed the historic school to be used each summer since 1994 for an authentic one-room school experience through ‘Life in the Past Lane’ Becker Community Education. The program allows children to experience life in a one room school without having to walk a mile. Teachers are dressed in period clothing and kids learn lessons, make old-time crafts, play games from a bygone era, enjoy a nature hike and picnic by the creek and sing old and patriotic songs.

 

Many Becker elementary students have been blessed by visiting Kragero one-room school on field trips, as well as students from Faith Christian School in Foreston and St. Cloud Christian School. Kids enjoy the pioneer atmosphere, including pumping water, washing clothes on a washboard and ringing the bell.

 

The Kragero school will continue to have an annual celebration and potluck the last Sunday in June each year. Everyone is welcome to attend.