Long Shot (Fairacres School)

A long shot of the handsome Fairacres School, a one-room schoolhouse from the days of the pioneers.

Photographed near Oyen, Alberta on May 15, 2023.

Avon S.D. No. 3091

A one-room schoolhouse near Claydon, Saskatchewan.  

It's in pretty nice shape too.

The identification signs on the dormer and side of the school.

To the best of my recollection, this is one of the few country schools I've seen that has a row of windows on two adjacent sides.  That detail makes it special in the history of pioneer schools on the prairies.

Photographed on May 10, 2022.

Leinan S.D. No. 314

My last stop on a five day road trip through southern Saskatchewan.

I wasn't sure if this one was still standing but as you can see from the photos it's not only still upright but in pretty good condition (considering it's been abandoned for fifty years).

I think someone didn't do so well in Spelling Class.

The overhang above the door and "wall of windows" are familiar features on many pioneer schoolhouses.

Photographed near Leinan, Saskatchewan on October 20, 2017.

Hecla School

I think this is the prettiest little schoolhouse I've seen anywhere on my travels.

The building is one hundred and one years old this year.  Many happy returns!  

Photographed in Hecla on Hecla Island, Manitoba on August 21, 2022. 

Jasman

Most every spring I take a drive into the country to see the Jasman School sign...a long time favourite.

A little more banter about it here: Jasman

Photographed near Juno, Alberta on April 11, 2023.

Morning Star School

A one-room schoolhouse near Burdett...

...set against a big blue Alberta sky.

Photographed on April 11, 2023.

Part Three of a Trio: Makinak Schools

A monument memorializing the Makinak Schools.

The first school here was a one-room schoolhouse which was open from 1898-1918.  After twenty years of service it was replaced by a two-storey brick-veneer building that operated from 1918-1971.  

Over seventy years is a good long time for a country school to be open.

The remains of the front steps and foundation of the school.

Information courtesy of the Manitoba Historical Society.

Photographed in Makinak, Manitoba on July 23, 2022.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

The school district was established in 1894 with the schoolhouse seen here operating from 1909 to 1967.

Tamarisk School was photographed near Grandview, Manitoba on July 22, 2022.

Cossack School Sign

A handmade sign at the site of a one-room schoolhouse that opened in 1931.

The following is a direct quote regarding Cossack School from the book "Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk" by William Peter Baergen:

"Opened in January 1931 by Annie Sawchuk

(Antoniuk), who taught at this school from 1931

to 1937. There were 17 students from Grade 1–7.

By the spring, enrolment had increased to 24.

She lived alone in a 10’ x 12’ shack, which

caused her to become very lonely, to the point

of sickness. She visited each family on foot.

Closed in 1952."

The sign bears the names of Cossack's students, but not that of the teacher.

Photographed north of Smoky Lake, Alberta on September 20, 2021.

Cypress School

A little country school that was open from 1900-1958.

The concrete well cap can be seen midway between the school and the fence.  Also, on the right, are the remains of a foundation where a teacherage once stood.

Photographed north of Elkwater, Alberta on November 26, 2022.

Day One - Fairacres School

The gardening season was over so one last road trip was in order before the onset of winter.  The eventual destination of the journey was Gimli, Manitoba but there was no rush...there are lots of places to see along the way.

On Day One I drove north from Medicine Hat, made a few stops in the Cappon area and then was off to the Cereal Hotel for a homemade burger.  After lunch I headed into the countryside northeast of Oyen for a return visit to Fairacres School.

It always looks stately, sturdy and strong no matter what the season.

And as a bonus, it has recently provided a home to a pair of hawks to raise their young.  

The school was originally located a few miles away; this sign marks the spot.

After a few more stops I was off to Kindersley for the night.  More to see in the morning.  

Photographed near Oyen, Alberta on October 8, 2022.

Morranville School

There must have been lots of kids around in 1920 to warrant a school this size out in the middle of nowhere...and made of brick no less.  This one's a beauty!

Photographed near Grandview, Manitoba on October 13, 2022.

Farming Valley School

That oversized bell tower makes this one-room schoolhouse a standout.

Hope this one stands for many more years to come.

For more photos of this wonderful old schoolhouse, click here: "F"

Photographed near Cereal, Alberta on October 8, 2022.

Long Shots (Star Mound)

Long shots of Star Mound School near Snowflake, Manitoba.  The name "Snowflake" is equal parts imaginative and evocative...kudos to the person or persons who came up with that.  

Established in 1886, the school is only about four miles north of the Canada/U.S.A. border.  And you know you can't ask for a better place to be on a summer road trip than in the middle of nowhere!  I'm sure you know what I mean.  Happy road-tripping!

Photographed on August 17, 2022. 

Ewart School

This old schoolhouse is about half a mile off the main road and stands right in the middle of a canola field.

There was an overgrown rutted trail (suitable only for tractors and all terrain vehicles) so I parked and walked in for a better view.  

The trail led past a corral and finally ended up at an old homestead where these shots were taken.

Photographed near Ewart, Manitoba on August 16, 2022.

Hearts of Oak S.D. No. 1831

An abandoned stone schoolhouse near Parkman, Saskatchewan.

The ceiling and walls above the wainscoting are covered with decorative tin panels.

Photographed on August 16, 2022.