Preface Started as a simple scrapbook of memorabilia of a father’s one-room school located in northwest Oklahoma, Lone Star School blossomed into the telling of how a mighty nation was built from sea to shining sea. Richard Simunek details the history of America as this country crept away from its Atlantic Coast beginnings, stumbled over the Appalachians, flooded the old Northwest Territories, spilled into the Great Plains, and raced every westward to the Pacific Coast. Lone Star School is the only one-room school in America with the history of its students’ families intact. Multiply the history of Lone Star School by 190,000, the estimated number of one-room schools that once existed in America, and the resulting sum is a good chunk of America’s history and how America came to be. “The story of Lone Star School, unique in the history of one-room school houses, is the story of immigration and assimilation into the new American West. This book captures the drama of that time through meticulously researched detail, personal interviews and rare photographs.” Mary Haney, Director, Hennessey Library and Sam and Burla Snyder History Center. “They developed perseverance, an understanding of the sustaining power of community and an American identity. This is a powerful story, imaginatively told, and it has much resonance for today.” Stephanie Deutsch, Author, You Need a Schoolhouse “Richard Simunek captures the essence of the experience of interacting with students who are of difference cultures. Coupled with the history of the times, the first-hand accounts from a varied perspective are compelling.” Retta Slavik Chandler, President, Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. The balky bovine refused to pull any additional weight, so the Boos family had to walk behind their heavily loaded covered wagon from Kansas to the newly opened lands in Oklahoma. With a snap of the reins, the Thomas family turned their wagon from west to south, the new compass of life recalibrated from Oregon to Oklahoma. Daisy Curfess and her mother trekked with their neighbors’ wagon train from Kansas. Their land run for a homestead would be a feminine affair. As the Robinson caravan came to a rest late each day, Ollie Robinson saddled his favorite horse and rode ahead scouting out potential campsites for the next evening. Ten generations of the Crosswhite family were tugged westward in America’s great expansion, starting from Keswick, England, to Philadelphia, to Virginia, to Kentucky, to Missouri and, finally, Oklahoma. Anton Kusik almost did not make it to Oklahoma. He barely survived a gust of wind that almost blew him into the ocean while drying diapers on the rails of the ship carrying him and his family to America. Jim Peach’s arrival was simple and direct. The train police kicked him off the train he had illegally hopped on in Chicago. But, eventually, all found their way to Lone Star School, a one-room school located in northwest Oklahoma. There was no turning back to old restrictions and old hates. Pockets empty of coins were more than offset by hearts full of hope. Here, in the nine square miles that comprised the traditional one-room school district is the history of Europe and American from the 1700s to 1947 told thru the eyes and experiences of its students. Here, in nine-square miles, is the story of thirty-one families from seven nations and twenty-three states. Here, in nine-square miles, is the story of one of the great melting posts that would brew the American ethic, the one-room school. Here, in nine square miles is a journey that began with covered wagons and ended with the Apollo mission to the moon, the latter realized by former Lone Star student and naval commander Joy Brown. Here, in nine square miles is a tightly organized and efficiently administered school system that still marvels. Although Grandpa John and Gradma Kate Berkenbile came from Germany, German was not allowed to be spoken in the Berkenbile household. Grandpa and Grandma Berkenbile didn’t teach their kids German because Grandpa Berkenbile stated “Now that we are in America, now we are going to be Americans.” Their grandson, Dale Berkenbile, was killed by incoming German artillery fire at Normandy in WWII. WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII occupied three of Lone Star School’s approximate seven decades of existence. Obviously, these were not easy times. Yet, Joy Brown fondly recalls, “For some reason, those years there were so vivid and seem so important. Perhaps it was because values were genuine, extremely important, and so different than what they are today. Whatever, I wouldn’t take a million for those years, the friendships I enjoyed, and the memories which are so pleasant. My children got tired of hearing me reminisce about the little one-room school with one teacher and eight grades where I went to school. Guess I will now have to acquaint my grandchildren with some of my tales about the good old days.” Lone Star School closed its doors in 1947. Half century and a decade later, Lone Star students reopened its doors by sharing their memories and experiences. Their stories of sacrifice and perseverance will ensure that Lone Star’s doors will never close again and that Lone Star School will remain a teacher of students for generations to come. About the Author Richard W. Simunek received a BS and MA in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University and Washington State University, respectively. His thesis was awarded the Outstanding Master’s Thesis by the American Association of Agricultural Economics. Simunek served as Editor of the Farm Sector Review, the US Department’s of Agriculture’s primary publication analyzing farm income and financial conditions. His research has been published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. He served two overseas assignments in Ethiopia and Liberia with the US Agency for International Development. Richard, teamed with his wife Zorita, then became a real estate agent and renovated derelict Victorian townhouses in Washigton, DC. Simunek can be contacted at Nowweareamericans@gmail.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:16:28 +0000
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