Derby School

Derby School circa 1890

Built in 1886 the school lasted until a storm destroyed it in 1903. The community rebuilt the two-story wood structure in 1904 and it stood until another storm damaged it in 1915.

At the beginning of the 20th century Rockford Township had nine schools, most of which were very small country schools scattered throughout the township. Derby’s school was by far the largest with a student enrollment of slightly more than 100, although average daily attendance was about ¾ of that number. Classes were still being offered through the 8th grade level, and Derby’s students performed well in area school contests for spelling and ciphering, giving them a high ranking among schools in Sedgwick County.

In the fall of 1907, high school classes were introduced in Derby, which was unusual for a community of less than 300 residents. Some people in the town opposed the new curriculum but the school board persisted with the plan and high school enrollment increased over the next few years. The first graduating class in 1911 contained only two people, but there were ten in the junior class and the numbers were greater in classes that followed.

Derby School circa 1917

The school building was the first brick building in Derby and cost $15,000 to build. The new building only lasted six years before a fire gutted it in May 1923.

Another new school building

A violent storm in November 1915, severely damaged Derby’s school, making it unsafe to use. Instead of repairing the building, the school board decided to tear it down and build a new facility. They built a grand building at a cost of $15,000, the first brick structure to be erected in Derby. While the new school was being built, classes were held in churches, businesses and any other available spaces in town that could be utilized. Construction was finished in early 1917 but the grand new building didn’t last long. Just six years later, in May 1923, fire completely gutted the brick building. Once again, the school board was faced with having to hold classes all over town while the remnants of the damaged school were taken down and another new facility constructed. 

Derby School circa 1920s

The building was built in March of 1924 and served as elementary and high school through spring of 1952.

This new building was even bigger and better than the previous one, with elementary grades on the ground floor and an expanded high school upstairs. A nice gymnasium/auditorium was included, large enough to accommodate 500 people. Additionally, the new structure was equipped with modern steam heat and a complete plumbing system with its own water supply from a well on the property. Cost of the new facility was approximately $46,400 and Derby’s population was still less than 300 people.

Derby Historical Museum

Susan Swaney, Bill Smith, and Charlie Hubbard established the Derby Historical Society in 1992. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in October 2014.

The new school was completed in March 1924 and served as both elementary and high school in Derby through the spring of 1952, when a separate high school was built. Today, the building that was the only school in town for 28 years serves as the Derby Historical Society Museum, standing at Market and Woodlawn. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

This information provided by the Derby Historical Museum. Read more about Derby history on their blog here: www.derbykshistorymuseum.org/blog