abandonedschools – CRUMBLING MEMORIES

October 30, 2020

BERNICE (BERNEICE) SCHOOL

Located in what used to be known as Bernice, Manitoba in the RM of Two Borders, this little school is located right on the side of the highway.

While heading to Saskatchewan this past weekend to see my son, this school was conveniently located and I didn’t even have to get out of the Jeep.

Bernice School No. 547, which was established as Gould School, operated between 1888 and 1914. In 1914 it became Bernice (Berneice) School and operated as such until 1965 when it then became part of Napinka School No. 2369.

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

BLUEVALE

The Bluevale School District was established formally in July 1901. It was replaced by a new structure and opened officially in November, 1960.

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The school closed in 1967 and the building stood empty until being sold and moved to the Lake Max area to be renovated into a private residence. A metal sign commemorates the school at its earlier site.

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The school seen many teachers over the years. The building I photographed is likely the second school house built in the 60’s and it is not in the Lake Max area.

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May 13, 2020May 13, 2020

HOLA SCHOOL

Nestled in the oak-studded hills, Hola School District, (Hola is Icelandic for hills) was formed in 1897 and the school and a four-team stable was built that spring on land bought from the Crown for $3.00. The district borrowed $495 from Mr. Maulson and Mr. Olafson built the school. Classes started in June of that year and Mr. Thorne was the first teacher whom had 53 students enrolled all at various ages.

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The school suffered some fire damage in 1923 and the floor had to be rebuilt. During the same decade, 4 side windows were also installed on the West side and two “piano” windows were installed on the East side of the school. In 1929 a larger basement was dug out and cemented and which allowed for a passage to the outside. This was a welcome addition for the young boys who feared ghosts would jump out of the trap doors they were accustomed to using on dark mornings when they came to light the fire.

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Each November, the area would be crawling with men in white suits, deer hunting in the area. Children were not allowed out for recess in the school yard and were encouraged to stay inside. The surrounding hills were perfect entertainment in the winter for skiing and tobogganing. The spring run off was just as exciting with lots mini rivers and waterfalls that rushed towards the lake about a half a mile North of the school.

On June 30, 1953 only 8 students remained enrolled at the school and nine were needed to receive a grant to operate the school.

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The building sits behind a commemorative cairn which was erected on June 28, 1987.

April 19, 2020April 19, 2020

PENINSULA SCHOOL No.: 907

After a ratepayers meeting in 1901 and the assurance to two East Coast landowners that their land would only be used for a school, the sum of $700 was raised to build Peninsula School. Miss Anges Moore, with a second class professional certificate was hired for the year for an annual salary of $420. She resigned within one month.

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The school was heated with coal and wood. In 1927 the school was equipped with flat bowl coal oil lamps and then in 1950, oil burners were installed. The school had a well stocked library with two sets of encylopedia, the World Book and Book of Knowledge, and wall maps. The students were active in sports and 4H as well as community centered activities such as Christmas Concerts, picnics and dances. It even hosted a funeral.

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In 1934-35, it was reported that teachers at Peninsula School were paid $30 per month plus board. The family boarding the teacher would receive a $15 per month credit to be applied to their taxes.

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The school closed in 1960.

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

This school district was organized formally in July, 1885.

The school closed in 1967 and the remaining students went to a nearby school.

The original school building is still on the land but after closing down was converted to granary with this monument.

You can see from this photo that the windows have been boarded over and the front entrance has been moved.

April 6, 2019

ALMA SCHOOL

This school has been on my to see list for some time. I was told that it was no longer there so a couple nights ago I wasn’t doing anything and thought I would go for a ride to check it out not expecting to find anything except a metal monument in its place. Well low and behold, there it stood.

The Alma School District was established formally in July 1891, but wasn’t name until a year later by a student in the first class.

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A wood frame schoolhouse served as the first school house on the property and was used until 1905 when it was replaced by this one room brick structure, complete with full a basement and an oil-fueled furnace.

The school closed in January 1961 and its remaining students then attended the Belmont Consolidated School.

At the back of the property is what I will assume was the outhouse and a small storage building. The yard is well maintained.

There is extensive structural damage to the side wall of the school and the front entrance is blocked by a large pile of plaster, likely renovations carried out by the schools newest tenants.

A wooden stud wall inside the school was built in an attempt to stabilize the structure. A monument stands next to the former school.

There is a rickety staircase that leads up into the back of the school. As I wasn’t feeling much like a risk-taker and didn’t venture inside. This is likely due to the large “enter at your own risk” sign stapled to the door frame and the fact that I didn’t feel like running from any rabid racoons.

Among the teachers of Alma School were Alexander Tumoth (1890), Percy Brether (c1900), Jean Williamson (1948), Miss Munroe, Miss Tisdale, John Sutherland, Miss Donna McLean, Miss Anne Hawn, Miss Alice Embury, Mrs. Shirley Dubyts, Miss Irene Fitzpatrick, Miss McIntyre, Miss Marjorie Cleave, Miss Eva Croll, Ed Arndt, Miss Myrna Wray, Mr. P. Lougheed, K. M. Prowse, Miss Jean Cowell, Miss Pat Williams, Mr. McRae, Miss Evett, Miss Muriel Robinson, Miss Pinn, Miss Marion Lewis, Miss Jean Campbell, Miss M. Stintson, Mr. Johnson, Miss Anna McLean, Norman Smith, Miss Margaret Downey, Miss Ruth Watson, Miss Kinley, Miss Wall, Miss Mae Berry, Miss Harrower, Miss Katie Playfair, Henry Woods, Miss Murgatroid, Miss Shorthose, Miss Hazel Cunningham, Miss Valance, Miss Carvell, Miss Bailey, and Miss McGowan.

I’m glad I didn’t take someone elses word and drove out to see what was there. It was worth the drive and my fingers did eventually thaw out.

October 22, 2018October 22, 2018

RIVERSIDE SCHOOL

Remember the little boy that rushed to the school to sit with the teachers until dismissal? Well this is the school.

Built in 1883 on the SW corner of his parents property for $843.00. They collected a further $10.00 for benches as well as a heating stove for $9.00, 22 lengths of pipe for $0.18 cents each, a broom for $0.35, a box of chalk for $0.30 and desks for $8.50 each.

Church services were held in the church starting in 1884 until 1915.

As the nearby village grew, it was decided that the Riverside School should be moved to its current location in 1902. In 1904 a storm prevented the children from getting home that evening and they were stormed stayed until noon the following day.

Changes to the school happened over time and in the summer of 1912 metallic shingles were put on the roof. The inside walls were changed from tin to wallboard and wainscoting in 1936. In 1951 electricity was installed. An oil burning furnace was added in 1953.

The last teacher employed was Aggie Jean Martin in 1956 where she was paid approximately $215 per month. The school, like many other small, one room schools in small communities were the centre of activity where they would hold dances, card parties or box socials. The school closed in 1956.

October 6, 2018

BUTTRUM PART 2

A couple weekends ago I finally got myself inside this school. I don’t know what it is that keeps me going back. One thing for sure is that the sky always looks fabulous in the background. It never disappoints.

Once inside I tried to envision the very first Christmas concert with family & friends peering through the windows to get a better look.

And of course what is an abandoned exploration without me finding a shoe!

Such a neat old place with so many of the old settlers having played some sort of role as trustee, contributor or student. Love that its still here to be a part of history.

August 30, 2018September 8, 2018

BUTTRUM SCHOOL

This school in the RM of Prairie Lakes opened its doors in 1982 and closed permanently in June of 1972.

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This is what the building looks like now in 2018.

The school is nestled on a little hill in the middle of a farmer’s field. If your looking far and wide and in the right area, you will see it.

Miss A.L. MacLachlan was the first teacher at this school was paid $35.00 a month for her term position. She was given 5 months training to become a teacher.

History surrounding the story of this school tells that the schools first concert was a huge success and in fact, so many people attended the concert that there was no room inside the building and parents and town people watched the concert through the windows from their horse carriages up against the side of the building.

Due to a drop in students registered at the school, the school closed for a period of time from Fall of 1939 to 1943.

The school held district social events, dances, card parties and concerts.

Unfortunately we were denied permission to enter this property so road shots it is. I’m sure I’ll be back as the backdrop is spectacular.

August 28, 2018

RICHVIEW SCHOOL

This school is on private property and permission was granted for us to enter.

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The school opened in 1887 and operated until January, 1968.

Richview School is the only original school built and still standing in the area. When school started it was agreed upon that classes would run in the Fall, Spring and Summer as the winters were to cold and the school would need to be heated. It was later agreed upon that the older children were needed at home during the summer and they decided to run school through winter. The first student to arrive at the school in the AM was paid to light a fire. The student was paid $0.05 per morning.

In 1939 this addition was made to the school to make more room for social activities.

In 1941 hydro was installed and in 1949 the basement was enlarged to hold a coal furnace. In 1951 the Insul-Brick was added to help insulate the school.

The school bell was donated to the local museum and other items were donated to the new school including the fire extinguisher, text books, radio and a chemistry set.

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018

BROWN LEA SCHOOL

The Brown Lea School District was established in August 1886 and the first classes were held in 1887. The original building was replaced by a wood frame structure built in 1902 by contractor A. King. The school closed in January 1967 but a vacant building remains on private property.

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Over the years there were 59 teachers and 220 pupils that attended the school.

Teachers at the school were paid an average of $35.00 per month.

The land for the school was purchased $5.00 and the school cost approximately $400 to build.

This second school house was built in 1902.

August 2, 2018January 24, 2019

FAIRDALE SCHOOL

The Fairdale School District was established formally in May 1883 and a frame school building was erected in what is now the RM of Killarney-Turtle Mountain. In 1897, the schoolhouse was moved by a local family to where it last stood and was later destroyed by fire. It closed in January 1968. Available information suggests the former school building was used as a granary and was present at the site as recently as 2005. A Manitoba Historian attended the site in October, 2011 but all that was found during the visit were some fire-charred wood fragments and the bricks from its chimney. A rock monument nearby commemorates it.

Among the teachers of Fairdale School were A. L. Davidson (1883), Irene Arnott (1911), and Mrs. Devona Kentner (1967).

Unfortunately, this is all that remains of Fairdale School.