A huge thank you to the Green County Historical Society (WI) for hosting our Business After 5 at the Bethel School House! This darling little schoolhouse, located on the main drag of 9th Street in Monroe, is a hidden gem you’ve probably driven past without realizing the rich history it holds.
The school operated from 1868 to 1965 and originally sat on Youth Cabin Road. In 1971, it was donated by the late Albert and Marion Deppeler and moved to its current location.
We were lucky to have Terry Goetz and Lynn Lokken as our docents for the evening, sharing fascinating stories of what it was like to attend school in those days. All students had duties, like collecting firewood for the stove, burning trash, and cleaning blackboards! They even provided us with a sample of school snacks from back in the day. Fun fact: Fritos were on the menu because Monroe was home to Frito production in the 1940s!
Thank you again to the Green County Historical Society for preserving this piece of local history and allowing us to experience it firsthand.
