Iowa’s One-Room Schools

NORTH ENGLISH — Sandra Kessler Host was a farm girl raised in Sac County Iowa. Her great-grandfather, German immigrant Henry Kessler, established a farm on the tall grass prairie in 1874, five miles away from where the town named Odebolt would be founded in 1877.

Host heard pioneer stories from her father and grandfather growing up and developed a lifetime passion for history.

Like generations before her, Host attended a the rural school. Willow Tree, known also as Richland Twp #1, was built in 1883 and closed in 1951.

Host will be presenting her program on the one-room schools of Iowa Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the English Valleys History Center, 108 N. Main, North English.

The public is invited to attend this event at no charge. Donations are accepted.

Host received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credentials from Simpson College and later earned a master's degree from San Diego State University.

Host has taught high school students in Iowa and California. She and her husband, Tony, returned to Council Bluffs in 2006.

In 2011, Willow Tree was moved to Heritage Square Park in Odebolt to be restored as a museum. In 2014, the museum received the state award for Best Rural Restoration.

Host has authored five books and written narrations for two video documentaries on Iowa’s rural history, settlement and the pivotal role that the system of 12,623 one-room schools played in Iowa’s development.

Tony serves as her information technology support guy for her speaking engagements.