The History of the Oakport (Des Plaines) School

The history of Oakport Township School dates back to 1881.  Oakport Township lies on the western border of Clay County, and is bounded on the west by the Red River of the North. There were two school districts in Oakport, however, district 23 is the topic of this web page.  Oakport School originated on August 8, 1881.  It was located where present Old Trail Market Stands, which is across from the Ray Gesell farm. In 1918, it was moved to the Southeast section quarter 10 of the Marvin Jacobsen Farm.  The reason the school was moved three times was to accommodate the children.  The families were moving further out of town so the school moved to the children.  The school was closed in 1942 when it was consolidated with Oak Mound school district.

Special thanks to Marvin and Jean Jacobsen, Cathaleen (Jacobsen) Koenig and Raymond and Mavis (Gilbery) Jacobsen, for which much of this information would not have been obtained.   

Select the image below to see an enlarged map.