"The early sttlers of Janeevill* brought with them that strong loe
for schools and educatioral privileges which cbracteries the Amrican
people. They had scarcely wade their families comfortable in their log
cabin* before they opened a school for their children."1 In 1839 Hiram Brown
taught a few children in a log cabin near the south end of Monterey Bridge.
Thw first public school was "opened in the woods near North fain Street
three rods north on East Milwaukee Street."2
"Soon after the erection of the Acadea3 two brick school houses were
built, ore on each side of the river, and the village divided into two school
districts. This division continued for several years, when both districts
were shbdivided and saw seven districts were organized within the limits of
the village, now the City of jnesville.#"   Each district had its own Board
of Trustees and Superintendent. It is probable that the brick school house
on the east side of the river w located on Division Street Just south of
MilUMe Street. This school house and one on Eastern Avenue were built
in 1844. The latter was always known as the alittle red school house."5
During this period some of the friends of education endeavored to
organize UnIon Schools. An editorial in the 9Met bf May 10,p 1849
states the situation.
1 History of Rock County and Transactions of the Rock Count
2 History of Rock County Wisconsin. (1895). Vol. I. p. 257-8.
Article on Janesville by' H, C, Buell.
3 opened October 1IM.
4 First Anual Report of the Board of School Conissoners of the
City of Janesville. For the Year Ending July 18, 185?. p. 1
Hitoa ock      ConWisconsin.     (1908). p. 538. Article on
Jaes i   hrls ii    el.