History of Alexander

 

Scott Township was one of the last to be organized in Franklin County. Prior to 1878, it was part of Morgan Township. In 1878, an election was held at the home of R.N. Meeker and township officers were elected.

 

Up to the latter 1880’s Scott Township was comparatively new and little developed, because speculators held large tracts of land. The first settler, a man by the name of Malin, came to Scott Township in 1860 and remained for two years.

 

John Martin soon followed as manager of the Cobb farm, a tract of land containing something over 5,000 acres. The land was improved and sold to William Wright in 1860 who erected the first house in the township. Later the land was sold to Henry Corwith who in turn sold the land to T.B. Scott in 1872. Large herds of cattle and horses grazed on this land and were prepared annually for market.

 

In 1881 a branch of the Central Railroad of Iowa was completed through the township and its station was Alexander. E.B. Hill was the first manager. In order to build the railroad, the slough south east of town had to be filled. Jim Green was one of those who helped haul hay to fill in the slough. The first station was replaced a few years later, but was destroyed by the 1925 tornado.

 

In 1882 the first school was built, also the first general store and post office.

 

The town was platted in 1885 by F.E. Carter, officially incorporated on April 4^th, 1902 and had a population of 300 by 1914.

 

 

 

History of Alexander School

 

   In the early days of Alexander, the youth acquired their education within the walls of the old country schoolhouses, one in every two-mile section.

 

   Harvey Yaw donated the lot for the first schoolhouse in Alexander, and a two-story wooden building was constructed in 1882. It was located on the southwest corner of town.  When no longer needed as a school, the building was moved to the east side of Main Street where Gary's Farm Store is now, first being used as a general store, and later as Alexander's first hatchery owned by Oscar and Marie Hensel. 

 

   In 1914 the Alexander Consolidated School district was formed and a new brick building was built the following year in 1915.  It was built near the old structure on South State Street (Hiway #107).  As the new building was not ready for students in September, one-room country schoolhouses were moved to the school property and used until the new school was finished.  They were purchased, moved, and used as needed.

 

   The first graduates in 1919 were Beulah Arends and Ruth Hansen.  In 1921 Alice Suntken and Leonard Arends graduated; in 1922 Alice Barkema, Grace Dirksen and Walter Smith.  A gymnasium was added in 1928, at the north end of the school building, under the first and second grade classrooms.  In 1941 a new gymnasium was built on to the north of the main building.  The old gym was remodeled into a Home Economics room on the east, and a Manual Training room on the west.  The remodeling also included a hallway to the new gym and a stairway up to the main floor of the school. An addition was built on the west side of the gym in the mid -50's that was used as a shop.  Later it became the music room.

 

   In 1962, because of declining enrollments, Coulter and Alexander and Latimer combined districts forming the CAL Community School.  The last class to graduate from Alexander was the class of 1962.  For twelve years the Alexander building was used for elementary and Junior High classes, but in May of 1975  the school was closed and all classes were held in the main school building in Latimer.

 

   The sixty-year-old Alexander School building was destroyed by fire on December 28, 1975, but the gymnasium was saved.  It remained in use by the CAL District for athletic games and practice sessions, and for the storage of supplies and equipment.  It was also used by the community for programs and other events.  Gradually, over the years, it deteriorated beyond repair, and, as it was no longer needed by the CAL District, it was demolished.  A small building was erected on the site as a concession stand with a small kitchenette, storage and restrooms.  The school ground is owned by the CAL District, and the lighted, baseball diamond is in constant use for school games as well as the popular summer T-ball and Little League ball games.