John Kester took the contract to build a new school, his son, Thomas, did the work. The land on which Ikeler’s schoolhouse was built was given by William Ikeler. It was given with the understanding that the land would revert to the owner when the land was no longer to be used as a schoolground.
This house was bigger, nicely finished inside and out; plastered and wainscoted inside, weather boarded outside; painted the red of the schoolhouses of that time. The seats for two faced west. There were made of plywood, full of holes in designs. These seats graduated in size from front to back. There were four rows of seats, five seats to a row. The first blackboard across the front of the room was a strip of cloth, painted with several coats of black paint.
Through the years many changes were made. The new desks didn’t have a drop top. The blackboard was changed to slate and reached part way along the sides. One of the biggest changes was when the township began providing books and other supplies. This big improvement wasn’t put into effect until approximately 1890. Before this time each pupil had his own books which were often different. The tablets and pencils made a much more sanitary method for written assignments.
The drinking water for these schools was carried by the pupils form nearby springs from the Ikeler home or later from the well at John Hopper’s house. This well was paid for by the school board with the understanding that the school could have the use of it. When the Hoopers moved to Bloomsburg, the well became unfit for use. A basin sat on the shelf beneath the water bucket. Surplus from what was drunk from that single cup was emptied in it. If anyone wanted to wash his or her hands, this water was used. The only towel was taken home by the teacher and washed occaisionally. In later years a mirror and a single comb was provided. Through the years the outdoor toilets met requirements but sanitation was an unknown word. In the fall of 1943 the township schools consolidated at Millertown and the history of the Ikelers school ended the fall of 1943.

Information is from “A History of Ikeler’s Hill or Ikeler’s School District” by Ava Dennen Hower 1960 and revised by the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society 2004

Ikeler's Teachers
Picture Ikeler School Students between 1889 & 1894
Picture Ikeler School Students 1894
Picture Ikeler School Students 1897
Picture Ikeler School Students 1900 or earlier
Picture Ikeler School Students 1907-1908
Picture Ikeler School Students 1910-1911
Picture Ikeler School Students 1911
Picture Ikeler School Students 1915
Picture Ikeler School Students 1932

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