The first school in Black Hawk County was established by Mrs. Jackson Taylor in 1847. Private classes were conducted in the Taylor log cabin home that stood near this spot.

Mrs. Taylor had six pupils in her school, including two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Overman. Mrs. Overman later said that she walked to this school with her daughters every morning for fear of Indians. The Winnebago and Pottawatomie tribes were still active in the Cedar River Valley at that time.