Omaha Exploration

Sunnyside School District 27 in Northeast Elkhorn was organized in 1869. It consisted of this one-room schoolhouse which was built in 1900 according to the Douglas County Assessor. For most of its life, it served students whose parents farmed in the area. As Omaha continued to grow further west, the students came from families who weren’t farmers but who purchased acreages in the area.

Declining enrollment in these rural school districts resulted in a bill that required that they be consolidated with larger districts. As a result, Sunnyside School District 27 was merged with the Bennington and Elkhorn School Districts in 1991. In its last year, the school whose students often excelled academically, had 12 students down from its peak of 18.

When the school closed, most of the items inside were auctioned off including the bell which hung in a cupola above the front door. Other items included portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, desks, chalkboards, playground equipment, wall clocks, an upright piano, art supplies, wall maps, magazines, books and a computer.

The 1,200 sq ft structure which remains in its original location near 186th and State was remodeled into a residence. Inside the owners added a kitchen and bathroom to the former classroom opting to leave it open otherwise. Bedrooms were added to the attic space. The exterior of the school was left alone except for the addition of a stained glass window in the attic wall facing the street.  

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Until next time, keep exploring!

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