OUR HISTORY

E.C.H.O. Charter School has a long history of educating children in Yellow Medicine County. From our roots as a public school to our modern approach to project-based learning, we've been steadfast in our belief that every child has opportunities.

As we continue to build this page, please contact Travis Cowell if you have additional photos or stories that we can include here.

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black and white photo of the building labeled new high school building

The 1800s

The first school was taught in the Echo town hall in 1886 and 1887. It had two teachers, Mrs. J.B. Wasson and Alton E. Martin of the Sioux Agency. Mr. Martin was a director of school district No. 84. He served about twelve years in this capacity.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1888 on Echo’s main street. The school was used until 1893 when it proved to be inadequate for the number of students that had been added because of the new settlers to the area. They sold the building to the English Methodist Church, and classes were held in the town hall again for two years. We are working on confirming that the original school is still in existence.

 In 1895 The new schoolhouse was constructed at the cost of $6,000. It was an eight-room-frame building where the present school resides. In 1906 a high school addition was made to the building at the cost of $11,000. The elementary classes were on the first floor, and the Highschool classes were held on the second floor of the building. Also, in 1906 the school moved from a common school district to being independent school district 66.

two photos of the building on fire while community members watch

The Early 1900s

Echo School fire was on Tuesday March 23,1926 at 9:25am. Smoke had started to fill the air, and the fire was discovered by two teachers. At this point, the fire had grown to be visible through the school roof. All the students and staff were evacuated safely. The fire department did not have enough hose to reach the nearest fire hydrant and could not stop the fire from fully engulfing the building. Some brave individuals did carry the school piano out of the building to safety. Most books, important paperwork, and the students' clothing were also rescued from the fire.  It took less than an hour and a half for the building to burn entirely to the ground.

The rebuilding of the school started on April 13, 1926. We are working on finding out when the building was done, and classes resumed.

The Late 1900s

E.C.H.O. Charter School Ribbon cutting Tuesday September 2, 1997. The ribbon was cut by Gayle Kvistad. He was a community member and one of the founding school board members.

OUR THANKS

We'd like to extend a large "thank you" to several individuals who assisted in the compilation of photos and information on this page. They include:

  • Alice Dahl of Echo, MN

  • Megan Lipetzke of the Yellow Medicine County Historical Society

  • Larry & Barb Schuler, former director and teachers