Town of Kaukauna History - Rustic Road Route - R 53

SCHOOL HOUSE - GARRITY ROAD
This School House is located on Garrity Road and was built in 1922.  It had a full basement with large furnace for central heat.  Unusual features were the indoor chemical toilets and the bell tower.  The class room had a stage with three sides lined with book shelves, which was used as a Library.  The basement served as a playground on rainy days.
Records show the first teacher as J.J. McHugh who taught from 1924-1925.  The last teacher was Gertrude Kennedy in 1957.  It was at this time country schools were abolished and children were bused to Towns and Cities.
The School House was located in Joint District Seven and later was called The Apple Creek School because it was only a short distance from the Big Apple Creek. 
The School was purchased by Roy Cropsey in 1964 and converted into a home.  Windows were changed from long narrow to short and wide.  The size and shape of the building remains the same today. (1988)
A windbreak of trees was planted on the right side of the school lot line by the class of 1938.

BODDE CENTURY FARM - BODDE ROAD
Theodore Bodde, the original owner of the Bodde Farm, came from Alsace-Lorraine, a small country in Europe.  He purchased 120 acres by 1880 for $2,400.  This included the buildings.  He and his wife, Catherine Digman, had twelve children.  Later they purchased an additional 105 acres.
William and his wife Rosalie owned the property from July 1937 to June 1967.  In 1938, the original U.S. Hwy 41 was built and split the Bodde property. In 1941 the original farm house was torn down and a new home was built.  Part of the original basement walls remain today.
In late 1950’s U.S. Hwy 41 was upgraded and two additional lanes were added, which split the Bodde property again.
In 1956, a retirement home was added to the farm for William and Rosalie.  William died in 1967 and the farm then went to his wife Rosalie.  On June 30, 1969, her only child George bought the farm and is still the owner today, along with his wife Florence.

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