One-room schoolhouse moved in Kewaunee Co.

TOWN OF CARLTON - On a chilly Kewaunee County morning, the Wayside School hit the road.

Built in 1896, the one-room school was open until 1968. Jerry Sinkula attended classes there through the eighth grade, which included an abbreviated session of kindergarten.

“They brought us in to see if we knew our ABCs and knew what color was which color. And that was the extent of my kindergarten class, was one week,” Sinkula said.

Now, with the school falling into disrepair, the building has been donated to the nearby Agricultural Heritage and Resources center.

The school measured 30 feet wide, and 32 feet tall. The movers inched along. Wisconsin Public Service crews had to clear the way.

“This line they've lifted. Some lines they take down,” Sgt. Dustin Smidle of the Kewaunee Co. Sheriff’s Dept. said. “WPS has notified all the neighbors that the power will be out between 8 and 10.”

Sheriff's deputies kept traffic away.

“A building this this big, we have to block one mile ahead and one mile behind. And just move ahead with them, as fast as they can move,” Smidle said.

About an hour into the five-and-a-half-mile journey, the procession picked up speed.

“We just stay ahead and just make sure no traffic tries making it through,” Smidle said.

• EXTENDED VIDEO: Historic schoolhouse moved in Kewaunee County

The move was five years in the making. And about two hours after it started, the school rolled into its new home.

Bill Faller of Agricultural Heritage and Resources is a project leader.

“I love history, and to be able to see a part of history, kind of in motion and action, I think it's just a great thing” Faller said.

“It needs a new roof, and we want to put the bell tower back on, the windows replaced,” Sinkula said. “We want it to look very much like it did around 1906.”

Representatives of Agricultural Heritage and Resources say the school will be used for field trips, summer camp and other events at the center.

However, restoration could take a couple years to finish.