This is the Old Anderson Schoolhouse:
The Old Anderson Schoolhouse is an example of the old one-room schoolhouses that dotted the Midwestern United States less than 70 years ago. This schoolhouse served Eden Prairie kids of yesteryear. It is currently sitting on private property that is about to be developed into high-end lakefront residential property. Riley Lake lies just to the north of the house.
This schoolhouse was converted to a private homestead after it was abandoned as a schoolhouse. It was recently donated to the Eden Prairie Historical Society which is raising money to restore it. When the restoration is completed, it will be donated to the Eden Prairie School District for its use as an educational facility.
Originally, the plan was to station the restored schoolhouse at Prairieview Elementary School. But now the plan is to station the school on a little plot of land adjacent to this parking lot near Oak Point Intermediate School:
The land around this parking lot, including the parking lot itself, is owned by the City. This location would work well for the schoolhouse site because it has the available parking lot, it is quite visible, and it is adjacent to the school in Eden Prairie where 6th graders are taught about Minnesota history, so it would be close and convenient for them to visit.
At one of our bi-annual joint City Council-School Board meetings, staff proposed the idea of a property trade of this piece of City land for a piece of School owned property adjacent to our Community Center that we will one day need to build another ice rink. Both the Council and the School Board liked the idea and asked staff to proceed with putting the deal together.
A good working relationship between the City and the School District is so valuable when it comes time to discuss an issue like this. We’re fortunate to have such a relationship here in Eden Prairie.
