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JULIA O'NEIL
In the 1920's the East Side Schoolhouse was built at 921 E Rocksylvania Ave.
The first election for $35,000 in bonds was held August 4, 1919 and the vote
was 168 to 5 in favor of the bonds. It was found that the bond issue was not
sufficient and a second election to increase the bonds was cast. The vote was unanimous. In April 1920 the contracts
were let, $37,000 for the building, $6,387 for the plumbing/heating, and $1,346
for the electrical work.
Julia O'Neil taught at East Ward school for about 48 years.
Julia O'Neil had the opportunity to move "into town"
and teach at Central School, but she declined in favor of being with her
"boys and girls" of the eastern part of the city. East Ward School was
renamed the Julia O'Neil School in 1943 at the insistance of her beloved
East Ward families. Later then the school was razed, the same group
of families convinced the city that the area should be a park and named
the Julia O'Neil Park, as a permanent living monument to a person who always
gave to others and never asked anything in return.
Also note the old Merry-go-round which is still operating thanks to the
constant care exercised by the Iowa Falls Park and Recreation Commision.
I attended Julia O'Neil school from 1975-1977.
If you have any pictures of Julia O'Neil School, may I borrow them?
If you are willing to lend any pictures, please email the webmaster:
webmaster@iowafalls.org
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