2/5/2011:
The cold weather we’ve been experiencing is somewhat softened in our county schools today by modern conveniences such as central heating. Over one hundred years ago, however, school rooms were heated with coal or wood stoves. On this date in 1904 schools were advised that improper heating of school rooms resulted in some children close to the heat getting too warm, while others further away were cold. The Superintendent of Schools recommended that a jacket of zinc or iron, with air vents near the floor, be placed around the stove up to the approximate height of the children. The heated air would rise and then circulate before descending evenly around the room. They also recommended that wash basins, towels and looking glasses be available; and more importantly, that they be used.
Dakota Datebook written by Jim Davis
Source:
Park River Gazette February 5, 1904.