People often don't think about why Manning is in as good a shape as it is today - which is basically because of so many citizens
over the generations who believed in continuing to follow in the footsteps
of all of the successful Pioneers before them who were hard workers and invested not only their money but blood, sweat, and tears, to build this little town into
a prosperous community where it would be a good place that was safe to raise a family and give their children a good education - and be proud of everyone's accomplishments.
While digitally restoring an 1884 Carroll County map that I downloaded from the Library of Congress website, I got to thinking about how one of the first things the Pioneers did
was to build country schools every 4 miles.
Before Manning and most of the towns in the county existed, these county schools were already teaching the future generations
- many of whom spoke German but their parents wanted them to learn English and learn to it well because they knew that was the only way to truly become successful in life here in the U.S.
The first school building (Warren No. 4.) in what would eventually become the city limits of Manning once stood where the grocery store has been located for many years.
Then in 1883, the citizens of Manning built their first town school.
I just realized that the first school would be celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2023.
Photo taken either 1883 or 1884 - no little trees planted and no
homes in this part of North Manning yet.Can you imagine the fits that the "safety experts" would have today if they
saw kids with their feet hanging out of the 2nd story window!
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