Keep in mind that records from elementary and secondary public schools in Minnesota are here as part of the Minnesota State Archives. They can generally be found by searching the library and archives catalog:
Minnesota Works Progress Administration. Historical Records Survey. School District Records. 1852-1944.
Inventories of historical school records existing in each county in Minnesota, prepared by WPA workers. Surveys are organized by school district and vary in their level of completion. Information available includes: history of school buildings, references to any consolidations, historic attendance data, and firsts for the district (place first classes held, date first school house built, etc.).
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
Minnesota Department of Education. Maps of School Districts. 1910-1940s.
Maps showing boundaries of school districts. Most are undated. There is more than one map for many counties, showing school district boundaries at various times.
MNHS call number: See finding aid in the library (Education Department).
Guides compiled by Reference Staff:
A school district's number is generally what drives how its associated finding aids are organized within the local government notebooks in the reading room. Before 1957, the numbering of school districts was largely a county function and the practice varied greatly; from September 1957 to June 1971, the state-mandated a master numbering system and the types of districts were reduced. Since 1971, the types of school districts have increased and numbering systems have again become more varied.
For example, to find school records associated with the school district in New Ulm, Minnesota:
For more information on the organization and numbering of school districts in Minnesota see School District Numbering Guides.
1849 : Plans to establish a corporate school system in every township with five or more families
1854-1860 : Special school districts established for larger geographic areas, example: St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Rochester
1865: Independent school district concept is established. Requires population of 500, and a town/village/city within its boundaries.
1870 : Township schools changed to common school districts representing at least 4 sections of land with 12 or more pupils.
1901: Consolidation is legalized. New consolidated school districts are formed by mergers of any type. Funding is provided by the state for transportation of resident pupils.
1911: Holmberg Act revises tax laws to provide for construction of new school buildings with more aid to districts for both buildings and transportation.
1934: 7,721 school districts exist in Minnesota
1937: Reorganization plan is proposed, stressing reorganization within county units.
1947: County surveys of educational facilities and services conducted with intention of reorganization of school districts in counties.
1957 -1971: New numbers assigned to school districts based on state-wide system, reflecting massive consolidations resulting in 436 school districts.
2017: 515 school districts/local education agencies exist in Minnesota.
Gale Family Library
Minnesota Historical Society Library
Located on the Second Floor of the Minnesota History Center
345 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
Library Hours:
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday to Wednesday: Closed
More Information on Visiting the Library
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651-259-3300
