Eidsvold township is located in the northwest corner of Lyon County and was first settled in 1871. The township was named by a vote of its Norwegian settlers for a parish in Norway, noted as the meeting place of the National Assembly in 1814. The first town meeting was held in 1873 when nineteen residents petitioned for a township government. It was granted on September 20, 1873. H.T. Oakland was chairman and the following were the first officers: Nels Torgerson and A. Amundson, supervisors; John Coleman, clerk; Svend Peterson, treasurer; O.B. Ringham, assessor; H.D. Frink, justice of the peace; O.H. Esping and G. Amundson, constables.

On May 16, 1871, school districts were created in the eight northern townships of Lyon County. The four districts located in Eidsvold township were District No. 79 (Section 10), District No. 39 (Section 12), District No. 55 (Section 33) and District No. 91 (Section 31). District No. 79 was built by G.P. Pratt and son in 1894. The plastering and mason work was done by Christ Anderson. The building material was bought from Laird Norton and Company, and the hardware from Walker and Sigurdson. The total cost of the schoolhouse was $400.90. The first school teacher was Minnie Butson. The school continued in operation until 1954 when it was consolidated with District No. 20 (later changed to No. 414) in Minneota.

The photograph featured this week shows a book in the Lyon County Museum’s collection. Enjoying Our Land, Democracy Series by Maybell G. Bush, copyright 1940 by the MacMillan Company.  “District 79, 1943” is printed inside the front cover.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a non-profit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.