Utah's Historic Schoolhouses

During our most recent visit to Utah, we went “off the beaten path” in search of one-room schools.  I have a soft-spot in my heart for one-room schools because I went to one.  It was demolished a long time ago.  One day I decided to see if I could find a picture of it.  I searched the Internet and found nothing.  I inquired with my local County Historical Society and found nothing.  The school no longer exists. That got me thinking and I wondered how many of these old schools are left?  So, I have made it my mission to find and photograph these historic schools before they all vanish from the landscape.  This blog post offers a glimpse into some of Utah’s historic (but not necessarily one-room) schools that we found. 

Schoolhouse Window

Reflecting the Past & Preserving for the Future

GARFIELD COUNTY, UTAH:

On our way to Bryce Canyon National Park, we drive through Henrieville (UT-12), I photograph the Senior Center because it looks like a historic building.  Later when I get home and research it, I discover it was a school.  “The old town school, constructed in 1881 of rough-cut timber harvested on a nearby mountain, functions today as a senior citizen center and town hall.”  

Old Town School - Henrieville

GRAND COUNTY, UTAH:

On our way to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park (about 32 miles from Moab), we stop to photograph an old schoolhouse at the "T" intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 313.  It is located on the Arch View Resort property (13701 N Hwy 191, Moab).   There is not a sign or plaque to identify it.  The inside of the building is empty.  The windows look new and the back of the building has some new wood siding.  The bell is still in the bell tower.  

If you know anything about this school, please leave a message in the COMMENT section following this post.

Old Schoolhouse near Moab

KANE COUNTY, UTAH:

In the town of Mount Carmel, we photograph what locals call the "Old Rock Canyon Church" (Historic Rock Church)  It has a bell tower on it and was used as a church and school from 1880-1919.  A little research indicates that the original log structure was built in 1880.  In 1890, the log building was replaced by a stone building and a little later a lumber wing was added making it a two-room school.  That building burned in 1919.  In 1923, the present building was constructed and used primarily as a church.  Currently, it is in the process of being restored.  In 1987, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Rock Canyon Church/School - Mount Carmel

PIUTE COUNTY, UTAH:

The Marysvale High School (20 N Main St – aka US-89) was built around 1906 and probably closed in the late 1950's or early 1960's. It remained vacant for many years but now houses a craft shop.   During our visit, the lady who runs the craft shop happened to be there and told us this information.

Marysvale High School

She also told us of a one-room school in Koosharem on Highway 62.  So, off we go.  While driving through the little community of Greenwich (on Highway 62), we see a one-room school.  Nearby, some locals are dropping-off their recycling items.  I ask them about the school.  They tell me they always called it the “little red school”. They thought it was built in the early 1900's and closed in 1914. It had been used for wedding receptions and special events but not so much in recent years.

Greenwich "Little Red" School

A little farther down the road is Koosharem.  We see a couple of schools but not a one-room school.  We stop and talk with an older man who is walking his dog.   He tells us he thought the small building on the Main Street (aka Hwy 62) might have been a school.  After I got home, I did some research on the Internet but I could not find any information on this building. 

If you know anything about a one-room school in Koosharem, please leave a message in the COMMENT section following this post.

Koosharem Building - Is this an old School?

SEVIER COUNTY, UTAH:

The Elsinore White Rock Schoolhouse (1875-1899) is located at 35 E 200 North, in Elisnore.  In 1978, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   It is now a Community Center.

Elisnore White Rock Schoolhouse

The Salina Presbyterian Church/School (historical significance between 1875-1879) is located at 204 S 1^st East in Salina.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  

Salina Presbyterian Church/School

SUMMIT COUNTY, UTAH:

The Echo Canyon School is a two-room school located at 3441 S Echo Road in Echo.  This historic schoolhouse/dance hall was built in 1914 and closed in the 1940’s.  In 1997, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Echo Canyon School

The School is part of the Summit County Historic Driving Tour.  To view and print a PDF copy of the driving tour, please click on the following link:

Historic Summit County UT Driving Tour

Next to the Echo School is the Echo Post Office.  It is a postage-stamp size (pardon the pun) building.  It has been in continuous use since 1928.  We are running short on time and need to continue our trip.  Regrettably, we do not have time to look for the old church/school and cemetery on Temple Lane.  The town appears to be deserted – we can't find anyone to ask.  So, we continue on our journey.  

WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH:

On our way to Zion National Park, we turn off UT-9 in Rockville to find the Grafton School (1886). The one-room adobe school house also served as a church.  It is part of the Grafton Historic District.  In 1999, the Grafton Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Grafton is reputed to be the most photographed “ghost town” in the western United States. 

Grafton School

For more information and photos on Grafton, please click on the following link to view my blog post on “Grafton, Utah - A Boo-tiful Spot for a Ghost Town”:

Grafton Ghost Town

WAYNE COUNTY, UTAH:

We have a reservation to stay at the Torrey Schoolhouse B&B and we don’t want to be tardy.  The original two-story building was built by a Stock Company in 1914.  After negotiations, the building became the Torrey School (1917-1954). The first floor had three class rooms and the second floor was used as an Amusement Room with a stage.  

 Torrey Schoolhouse

For more information and photos on the Torrey Schoolhouse B&B, please click on the following link to view my blog post on unique lodgings.

Unique Places to Stay

While touring through the town of Torrey, we stop at 49 East Main Street at the Torrey Log School/Church (1898-1917).  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. 

Historic Mormon Log School/Church

During our visit to Capitol Reef National Park, we stop at the Fruita (Prairie) Schoolhouse (1896-1941).  It is located on the Park’s main road (UT-24). The schoolhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.  While you are here, stop and listen to the informative recorded message about the school, teachers, and students who came here.

Fruita School

From Utah’s Scenic Highway 12, we turn at mile 7.6 where the small farming community of Grover is located. Here we talk with an elderly couple who tell us where to find the Grover School (1935-1941).  We turn east onto Center Street (dirt road) and go about one-tenth of a mile to W 100 North St (dirt road) and another tenth of a mile to the Grover School (right side of road).  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Grover School

I may not get to certain U.S. States very often.  So, when I do visit a State, I like to come prepared with a list of schoolhouses that might be near our destinations.  If you know of any schoolhouses, please share it with me in the COMMENT section following this post.  Good directions or an exact address is always appreciated. 

If you would like to see more information and photos on historic/one-room schools, I invite you to view my blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Denice's Blog on Michigan One Room Schoolhouses
Pennsylvania's Historic Schools
Ohio's Historic Schools

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” – Benjamin Franklin