South Platte Valley Historical Society Society`````````````````````````````South Platte Valley Historical Society

Rebuilding the Past - For the Future

Last Update

January 24, 2011

Dedication of the 1875 Independence School

Written by Esther McCrumb

May 27, 2000 was the big day for the restored 1875 Independence School. Many former students and teachers who had fond memories of the pre-consolidation Independence School District #23 between Fort Lupton and Brighton, CO responded to invitations to the school’s dedication.  Of course, they didn’t go to the 1875 school, but to a now-vacant brick building that once housed kindergarten through eighth grades.

South Platte Valley Historical Society provided a Buffalo Burger lunch.

Beginning the ceremonies there was a presentation of the colors by the Young Marines, a newly-formed club from the Fort Lupton Middle School.

Master of Ceremonies Nancy Penfold, herself a product of the Independence District, invited the Reverend Kanya Okamoto, a Buddhist minister from Denver, to proceed with the dedication.

Many former students shared memories of school days.

Albert Watada, senior member of the family that donated the one-room school building to the Society, presented President Bill Crowley with a Proclamation and a handsome plaque affirming the value of education.

(Bill Crowley, Al Watada, Reverend Okamoto)

Inside the school, bulletin boards with old pictures drew lots of attention, and wood plaques with an original square nail from the school’s old siding were for sale. Not to mention, it was cool inside!

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