Lone Tree School

David Newton Shanahan, who served on the North's side in the Civil War in the 1880s, came across the plains by wagon following the war. He and his wife first settled in Sacramento.

In 1890 they moved to Anderson and purchased a ranch on Balls Ferry Road at the end of Lone Tree Lane on the Sacramento River, where their son Ross lived. Ross had married Sarah Jane Winsell, the daughter of Pioneer Dr. James Fletcher Winsell, who lived on a ranch along Battle Creek at the location of the present Coleman Fish Hatchery

Ross had been instrumental in building the Lone Tree schoolhouse in 1887 as they had six children and he and his neighbors saw the need for a school in the area. Over the years, enrollment increased until the Cascade Union Elementary School District finally closed it in 1949.

Hilda Jessen taught there for many years until she was married. Others who taught there at various times were Bea Harris, Melva Dersch and my grandmother, Emma Spann, who taught music for many years to the students.

So many memories people have of the old school house, as it was used for so many Lone Tree Farm Bureau events, 4-H club meetings and as the Community Center. Thanks need to go to Claris and Luda Myers and their daughter Peggy Kite who finally took over the responsibility of preserving it with the assistance from the local community.

If anyone has interesting pictures of events that were held there or class pictures of students who attended the school, Anderson Historical Society would welcome those items and place them in the old school house located on the museum grounds.