History of Douglas
Originally, the Douglas School area was a part of the Lone Tree School District No. 25, which was organized in 1885. In 1887, the Lone Tree District was divided into four parts: Lone Tree No. 25; Lone Tree No. 27; Douglas; Engdal
Quick History Facts:
- Douglas School District (No.3) was organized on April 21, 1891.
- Started by Thomas Baird Douglass with 6 children (5 pupils were his own children).
- Next 60 years, 10 to 20 youngsters, grades one through eight, met in the one-room schoolhouse.
- In 1948, the WWII Air Force Base in Box Elder was reactivated, and the district was responsible for educating military dependents.
- In 1955, with 626 pupils, Douglas District began independent operations under a 3-member school board and Superintendent, Robert Spelts.
- In 1962, Douglas Common School No. 3 became Douglas Independent School and initiated a high school program along with expanding the elementary program.
- Through school district reorganization, area rural schools listed below became part of the Douglas School District in the 1960's.
Through school district reorganization, the following rural schools became part of the Douglas School District:
- Fairview Common School District No. 15, organized date unknown, joined Douglas on July 1, 1961
- Lone Tree Common School District No. 25, organized in 1885, joined Douglas on July 1, 1965
- Pleasant Hill Common School District No. 84, organized in 1890, joined Douglas on July 1, 1968
- Prairie View Common School District No. 14, organized in 1910, joined Douglas on July 1, 1968
- Bend Common School District No. 82, organized in the before 1890, joined Douglas July 1, 1968
- White Eagle Common School District No. 18, organized in the late 1800's, joined Douglas on July 1, 1968
- Heavlin Common School District No. 27, organized in 1887, joined Douglas on July 1, 1968
Thomas Baird Douglass
The Lone Tree School Bus
LEARN MORE:
Read through the history booklet of how the Douglas School District was formed. Information for the booklet was gathered and put together in 1991 in remembrance and celebration of 100 years for Douglas School District.
Excerpt from
"The Douglas School District No. 3 was organized on April 21, 1891. Five of the original six school children (Cora, Lulu, Stella, Margaret, and Cassie) were the children of Thomas Baird Douglass after whom the district was named. He saw the need of a school when he and his family came to Box Elder. He then got the farmers in the area interested and together they built a school that would enable their children to learn the three Rs.
Originally, the Douglas School area was a part of the Lone Tree School District No. 25, which was organized in 1885. In 1887, the Lone Tree District was divided into four parts - Lone Tree No. 25, Lone Tree No. 27, Douglas and Engdal.
Originally, the Douglas School area was a part of the Lone Tree School District No. 25, which was organized in 1885. In 1887, the Lone Tree District was divided into four parts - Lone Tree No. 25, Lone Tree No. 27, Douglas and Engdal.
For the next 60 years the district was like hundreds of other common school districts in South Dakota with 10 to 20 youngsters attending grades one through eight in a one-room, one-teacher school. Enrollment in the school remained fairly constant and in 1949-50 only 19 pupils attended classes in the school near Box Elder.
Suddenly things changed. In 1948 the nearby World War II Army Air Force Base was reactivated by the Air Force and the district was held responsible for the education of military dependents. With the expansion of the base, named Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1953 and its supporting defense installations, the Douglas School System also expanded.
The increase of base activities and housing led to an increased burden on the district and in 1951, in an effort to keep pace, a building program was begun. In 1952 the first stage of the Vandenberg Building was started utilizing federal funds by Public Law 815.
From 1952-1955 the Rapid City Independent School district contracted and operated the Vandenberg School for the district. This operation was declared illegal by the South Dakota Attorney General in 1955.
In 1955, the Douglas District began independent operations under leadership of a threemember school board and Superintendent Robert Spelts with 626 pupils. During the following eight years there was nearly a 400 percent increase in enrollment.
In 1962, Douglas Common School No. 3 became Douglas Independent School District No. 3
and initiated a high school program in addition to maintaining an expanded elementary program.
In the fall of 1963 the Carrousel Building, which won national recognition for its unique design, was opened for students. Named for the late senator, the Francis Case Building began housing students in 1964.
The four Nike sites near the base were attached to the system in 1959.
Through school district reorganization the following rural schools became part of the Douglas School District: Fairview Common School District No. 15, July 1, 1961; Lone Tree Common School District No. 25, July 1, 1965; Pleasant Hill Common School District No. 84, July 1, 1968; Prairie View Common School District No. 14, July 1, 1968; Bend Common School District No. 82, July 1, 1968; White Eagle Common School District No. 18, July 1, 1968; and Heavlin Common School District No. 27, July 1, 1968.
Today [1991] the district encompasses 146.35 square miles in Pennington and Meade counties with a projected enrollment of 2920 for the 1991-92 school year."
Suddenly things changed. In 1948 the nearby World War II Army Air Force Base was reactivated by the Air Force and the district was held responsible for the education of military dependents. With the expansion of the base, named Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1953 and its supporting defense installations, the Douglas School System also expanded.
The increase of base activities and housing led to an increased burden on the district and in 1951, in an effort to keep pace, a building program was begun. In 1952 the first stage of the Vandenberg Building was started utilizing federal funds by Public Law 815.
From 1952-1955 the Rapid City Independent School district contracted and operated the Vandenberg School for the district. This operation was declared illegal by the South Dakota Attorney General in 1955.
In 1955, the Douglas District began independent operations under leadership of a threemember school board and Superintendent Robert Spelts with 626 pupils. During the following eight years there was nearly a 400 percent increase in enrollment.
In 1962, Douglas Common School No. 3 became Douglas Independent School District No. 3
and initiated a high school program in addition to maintaining an expanded elementary program.
In the fall of 1963 the Carrousel Building, which won national recognition for its unique design, was opened for students. Named for the late senator, the Francis Case Building began housing students in 1964.
The four Nike sites near the base were attached to the system in 1959.
Through school district reorganization the following rural schools became part of the Douglas School District: Fairview Common School District No. 15, July 1, 1961; Lone Tree Common School District No. 25, July 1, 1965; Pleasant Hill Common School District No. 84, July 1, 1968; Prairie View Common School District No. 14, July 1, 1968; Bend Common School District No. 82, July 1, 1968; White Eagle Common School District No. 18, July 1, 1968; and Heavlin Common School District No. 27, July 1, 1968.
Today [1991] the district encompasses 146.35 square miles in Pennington and Meade counties with a projected enrollment of 2920 for the 1991-92 school year."