Richland School District no. 55

Richland School District No. 55 (aka Spicer-Richland) was split off from Richland School District No. 52 (aka Liggett-Richland) sometime in 1911 or 1912. The school building was built in 1912 near the Spicer family home, hence the name. The location was at the northwest corner of the intersection of today’s 108 Road and Quaker Road. The school district contained 11 square miles of land area.

The school building was located on land belonging to Floyd Massey. The cost of construction was $942.10. Due to its square shape, the building was nicknamed the “Knowledge Box” by some.

The first classes were held in the fall of 1912. Belle Ross was the first teacher employed at the new school. The enrollment was stated as 16 pupils, but a roster of students for the 1912-1913 school year totaled at 28.

There was an Amish community located within the boundaries of the district. Some Amish children attended the school during the early years of its existence. There were occasional conflicts regarding school activities versus the tenets of the Amish faith.

The last year in which classes were held at this location was 1945. Sometime later, the building was picked up and moved to South Dodge City and converted into a small apartment building.

As a note to the reasercher, there were 3 rural schools, and 3 separate school districts, located in close proximity to each other that contained the name “Richland”. These schools were named Richland (Spicer) District No. 55, Richland (Liggett) District No. 52, and Richland Valley District No. 83.