#23 Rome
Evalean Gerstner P, 1-4Thelma L. Alvord 5-81968 Chillicothe #321Rome School
District Number 23
Rome is older than either Peoria or Chillicothe.Issac Underhill and Hezkiah S. Rose were tow of the earliest settlers. They came here in covered wagons and lived in log cabins.Isaac Underhill plotted Rose into city lots in December 1835. These sturdy pioneers soon saw the need for an education for the children of the fast growing settlement.School was first held about 1835 in the upper story of an old log house, which stood near the river on the present site of the Richard Defoe home. The children entered the room by means of a stairs along the side of the house.It is said the teachers had hedgethorne sticks hanging from the ceiling to frighten the children to make them behave. The stove stood in the center of the room. The long wooden benches were drawn up close around it to keep warm.About 1848 the first public schoolhouse was built on the present site. It was replaced during the summer of 1901 by the present frame structure, which was built by K.S. Rose.We are greatly indebted to Richard DeFoe, Frand Grestner and Anton Wilhelm who were the directors at that time; for it only through their untiring efforts that Rome was able to secure such a fine school building. The building alone cost $1800. The in it came from the steamboat, Hebee, which had burned in the waters near Rome in about 1819.Today this same building has been remodeled, a modern plumbing system added equipped with the latest model of school seats/ It has been so successfully modernizes that Rome School was able to win second place in the ? Contest conducted by the Peoria County Tuberculosis Association during the school year 1930-1931.Some of the early teachers are Birgim Young, Mrs. Wenthonre, Jake Moffit, Vesta Proctor, Charles Cook, Mrs. Clapp, and Mrs. Parker.The early directors were Sam Gill, Nick Wilhelm, Mr. Proctor, Levi Ferguson, and Lewis Droll.Several years ago the Rome Dramatic Club was organized under the able direction of its president, _____. It has presented some of the best amateur acting in the county. The Rome School is indebted to the club for much of their equipment.John Hayes
Rome Township
No. 10 N., R. 9 E.
