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FRELSBURG — Colorado County community members, history lovers and local emergency responders celebrated a new trail and renovations at Zimmerscheidt School and National Night Out with hot dogs, live music and evening conversation, Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Friends of Zimmerscheidt Historic School president Patti Glaeser shared recent improvements made to the site including new commemorative bricks, renovations to the one-room schoolhouse (including ground leveling, a new ceiling, new paint and window repairs), a new sidewalk and a new quarter-mile walking trail. Zimmerscheidt School is the only one-room schoolhouse still standing in the state, according to the Historical Marker Database.
“We would like to have people tour it and see what’s inside. We are very proud of it, and we are glad we can keep it here. It’s just been a blessing to have all of you come out and support us,” Glaeser said.
Eagle Scout and Bellville student Layne Grafe installed the commemorative bricks as part of his Eagle Scout project for Industry Scouts Troop 299. Grafe built two rock landscape beds and placed the first set of bricks. His great grandmother attended school at Zimmerscheidt School on the corner of Farm-to-Market 109 and Zimmerscheidt Road.
“I honestly didn’t expect this many people to come, so it was a big surprise. I’m glad they all came out to see what I did and what they all did with the place,” Grafe said. “… The help I got from everyone, especially James and Barbara Weishuhn, they taught me a lot of new things. It was a really fun experience doing this.”
Friends of Zimmerscheidt Historic School will add more bricks by the end of the year through online orders, according to Glaeser. Commemorative bricks remain available for purchase by calling 979-732-7214 or emailing [email protected].
Glaeser and Friends of Zimmerscheidt Historic School also recognized the 37 trail walkers who completed 3,200 laps around the new trail, or approximately 800 miles, for a walk-a-thon celebrating America’s 250th birthday this year. The organization created a plaque with the participants’ names for the site.
“We hope to make this an annual event,” Glaeser said. “Any of you who didn’t get to participate this year, let us know, and we’re going to sign you up for next year.”
In addition to the renovations at the schoolhouse, Glaeser shared that the funds from this year’s Lobsterfest will go towards restoring the Veterans Building. The smaller metal building between the schoolhouse and pavilion was constructed in 1948 after World War 2 for veterans to learn different trades like welding, carpentry, farmwork and equipment repair.
“They learned all kinds of things that maybe they didn’t get to do when they were here. It was to kind of get them back into the job market,” Glaeser said. “…That building actually has a big significance too. We are going to try and renovate that next to try and get it more in working order.”
Friends of Zimmerscheidt Historic School will also honor veterans on Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 19 by placing wreaths on the veteran graves at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Kaiser Cemetery and other locations.
