Somers Elementary School, Somers, Wisconsin

©2013 Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  All Rights Reserved.

Somers Elementary School, Somers, Wisconsin

©2013 Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  All Rights Reserved.

History

After over 100 years of service to their communities, the school districts of Bullamore Forks, Burr Oak, Pike River, and Washington State Graded began investigating the possibility of expanding each school to eliminate crowded conditions. It was decided that additions would be impractical and discussions turned to the thought of consolidating the students in one new building. On December 14, 1960, a referendum calling for the consolidation of the four school districts passed overwhelmingly. The new district was formed on January 23, 1961.

After considering several possible locations, the School Board selected the Mitchell Site. On Sunday, November 26, 1961, groundbreaking ceremonies took place and construction began the following day.

Construction proceeded slowly in the following months due to harsh winter weather, but when spring arrived, the building began to take shape. Somers Elementary School began holding classes on September 17, 1962.

A wing was added to Somers School in 1965. That same year, Somers Elementary School was absorbed in the Joint Unified School District No. 1. In 1967, the district was reorganized into the Kenosha Unified School District No. 1.

On November 1, 1991, a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating a $3.2 million, 32,500 square foot school addition and extensive remodeling project was held. The new addition was officially dedicated on October 4, 1992.

Source:  Somers Elementary School