Lessons Learned: First Schoolhouse of Great Falls

Written By Website Admin

First schoolhouse at the corner of 5th Street and 3rd Avenue South, [2007.017.0314]

In the summer of 1885, Great Falls built its first school building. The one-room schoolhouse was situated on land given by the Great Falls Townsite Company at the corner of 5th Street and 3rd Avenue South. It was built for about $900 by volunteers. The first teacher was Reverend John Largent. The small school served other functions for the early citizens; within those walls the First Presbyterian Church was organized, the first community Christmas celebration was held, and it was a polling place for elections. The first year, there were about 40 students. The number of students increased quickly, and the old Whittier school was built the very next year.

The first schoolhouse as a grocery store, from the 1923 Great Falls High School Roundup Yearbook.

The little wood frame school served the school district in various ways until the turn of the century. After its life as a school, it became a furrier, grocery, and several other things until it became a residence. The building maintained most of its original design through the years. In December of 1977, during the process of expanding their lumber yard, Grogan-Robinson Lumber rediscovered the history of the little frame building. Brooks Robinson, a historically conscious businessman, offered the building to the newly founded Cascade County Historical Society (CCHS).

The First School Building in 1977, Great Falls Tribune, December 4, 1977

CCHS member Charles Bovey paid for the school to be moved to the grounds at Paris Gibson Square during the summer of 1978. Money was donated by businesses and the community in the hope of preserving and restoring the old school. Bovey had the forethought to save windows from the recently demolished Board of Trade bar and offered them to be used in the restoration. Bovey passed during that same summer and never saw what was to come for the old school.

Work was done to strip the school down to its bare frame before restoration could begin. The building would need double doors and three windows down each side. Later day siding was removed and some of the original drop siding was underneath. The inside had all its dividing walls and false ceiling removed. Plans were even drawn up for the restoration by John Ellingsen.

North and East Elevation and Shingle Detail plans for restoration, John Ellingsen

Fundraising efforts started off strong, with donated labor and supplies. The total amount needed for the restoration was around $8000. Things seemed truly bright, but there was one problem; the school needed a permanent home. It could not remain on the grounds at Paris Gibson Square due to federal restoration grant restrictions that would endanger those grants for the Square. Other locations were pursued; Giant Springs Park, other school district land, land owned by the Eagles. All were dead ends. Sadly, time was up and in March/April of 1980, the school was dismantled.

“We are extremely sorry that this project did not go through to completion as all of us should, we believe, be conscious of our heritage. We appreciate more than you know the many hours of work donated towards this project by many people and the moral and financial support that you gave the committee. Please accept our thanks.

                Sincerely,

                First School Restoration Committee of the Cascade County Historical Society.”

Poster advertising for help with the first schoolhouse

Website Admin
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How the Cascade County Historical Society Began