Old one and two-room school houses are a passion of mine.
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Finding and photographing old school houses has been and is a passion of mine.
For many years I have spent time researching, driving and shooting as many of these old one
and two-room school houses as I am able to find around the Pacific Northwest.
They are elusive.
: : :
Rural one and two-room schools were each a ‘district’ unto their own.
Depending upon the area, there might be three or four that would or could be found per township.
Most of these little schools were destroyed literally
and figuratively by the sweep of school district consolidation that occurred during the mid 1940s to 50s.
Which means that nowadays, most of these school houses have long abandoned for six-five to seventy-five years.
That’s a long time for a wood-frame, unattended to structure to stand.
Some were torn down immediately, some moved to a nearby ranch or farm and used for outbuildings or left to decay in place.
Some I have found were partially burnt out or destroyed by livestock or wild infestation.
: : :
I may have mentioned my search methods before, but in case you missed it, here is my work path.
First of course decide the area you want to look for school houses.
Second, go to Metsker Maps in downtown Seattle (you can order maps on line too) and buy a map of the county you choose.
Using the map legend I create a hollow square template (using a piece of manila file folder) cut
to the size of the townships shown on the map (not every map is the same size, even from the same manufacturer).
Next, I spread out the map and start in one corner of the county,
moving my hollow square township template one township/range at a time,
pouring over the roads, looking for markings of old school districts.
Sometimes, I make note of old towns (ghost) and cemeteries too,
they often indicated where pioneer settlements were at one time.
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After all my research comes the fun part, on my travels, I systematically try to locate these schools and places where I might find one.
Sometimes, I score, but most of the time you come up on the spot and there is nothing at all,
but memories floating in the wind
and dust of school days
gone by.
: : :
Here is one school house found by that method in the Skagit Valley west of Mount Vernon.
It is being used as a gift shop at the Christensen Nursery on Best Road.
I loved that it is still useful, full of the sounds of voices
and aging gracefully.
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‘RURALITY BLOG HOP’ #9
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an adorable little structure. :)
A great find. You do a great job searching out your subjects. Me, not so much. I just go look for interesting things, that is, when I get a chance.
I love old schoolhouses! This one is really lovely.
Cute!!!
Looks like this school house is in good shape, Madge.
There is a used to be School House to the west of us that has not been used for about 10 years. It’s now a make shift hunting lodge. There is another School house east of us that is used and maintained by a local 4-H Club.
Lovely shot Madge and thanks for sharing your passion too.
The teacher in me is always looking for these charming little buildings. The one in your post reminds me of a little church we found in the Smokey Mts. years ago so I did a double take.
Growing up my bus dropped off kids at two different one room school houses. My parents sent me to the city school thinking it was best for me. Both of those old schools still stand.
Love your shot! The weathered wood is gorgeous.
Wow! Great find!
Oh, that is too cute!
Beautiful photo! Loved hearing about your method!
So glad it’s being used == love the globes~ :)
Fantastic photography with great content, composition, texture, ~ Wonderful ^_^
What a charming little place!
What a lovely picture, such an interesting building Madge :)
What a fascinating building… My grandfather opened a printing business in such a building, it was a place full of echoes and had a haunting atmosphere…
So much history in the old country schools! Enjoyed your blog post.
Wonderful Capture, I have been lucky enough to photograph the inside and outside of few school houses too!
What a find this is, Madge!
I’ll bet the inside is wonderful.
This is a really great photo – and find! I find your research methods so interesting, I’ve been hunting for the one-room school houses of Jamaica, Vermont. There were 14 in operation until 1960 when the town consolidated the schools into one in the village. I found a historical map with all the districts and schools, which should make it easy, but believe it or not, the roads have significantly changed. These are so fun to find! Thanks for sharing this!
I remember the one room school building my mother attended long ago and like many you referenced, it was eventually destroyed for new construction of a consolidated school. It is very cool that you research and seek these out for photographic prosperity.
What a cute little school house turned gift shop! There doesn’t seem to be any old school houses left in my part of the state.
Madge-
I just adore old schoolhouses too! I haven’t seen a single one around here-but out in West Texas there are quite a few.
You certainly found a treasure!
Jemma
I love how you go about finding places to photograph! I need to carry a notebook because often I see something but don’t have time to stop, then I forget. Great photo, btw! I absolutely adore old structures :)
What a rare and disappearing find. Great idea to make it into a gift shop
betsy
you would love it out by me here in Ohio. Plenty of one-room school houses in Amish country! Lovely photo. Hope you are doing well.
Quaint and magical at the same time♫♪
What a great photo! And you have your search down to a science. Wouldn’t it be great to see photos of what went on inside during classes!
What a cute school.
It’s just WOW!
This is just lovely Madge! I love it when old buildings can be repurposed. What a story those old walls could tell of what happened between them.
I love to find these old buildings- you are a good investigator!
Beautiful photo. It is always so fun to find old buildings.
Wish you a great weekend.
From Hilda
So many of these old places have disappeared. It’s good to see such a pretty one still being used.
Your search method is very interesting. Now, we know your secret.
What a grand entrance for this tiny little school!
What a cute little building! I’m glad it got a second life! :)
Very nice, Madge. As a map lover I’d find the research almost as much fun as the pix. Hope you’re doing well.
I’m dying over this school! It’s beautiful!
What a quaint building!