October 16, 2009: Belle Plaine High School (1911), last used as Central Elementary during the school year this photo was taken, was torn down in 2016-17.
I was going to use this as an intro to a post, but its length and overall spirit lend themselves to a post by itself.
In a quiet and determined manner the people of Benton county have turned their faces toward the betterment of their schools. A fine high school building was built in Belle Plaine some two or three years ago. It now has one of the best high school buildings and schools in the state. … Newhall is already occupying one of the best small town school buildings in the state. It has a school in keeping with the building. Keystone is taking pride in showing its handsome new school building to managers within its gates. And well it can afford to. It is a strictly up to date school building with all the modem conveniences. It, too, has a school in keeping with the building. Van Horne, not daunted because it failed to establish a consolidated district, has gone ahead with and will vote bonds for a new building which will rank with the best there is in the country.
— “Walford to have a splendid school,” Vinton Eagle, July 14, 1916