Springwater School

It has been a few days since my last post...but I hope it was worth the wait. I give you Springwater School and it's a beaut!

There isn't many stone buildings around, so it is always exciting to see one. Even more rare are stone one room schoolhouses. I found myself in the area of one such school recently. This wasn't a random find and I can now cross it off my ever growing list of 'must see' places.

The Springwater area, which is about 28 kms NW of Delia, opened for settlement around 1910. Like many places in Alberta, it was due to the coming of the railroad. The need for a school in the area was soon realized and the Springwater District was formed. It was't until 1922 that the stone school was completed thanks to a hired stonemason and volunteers who helped reduce costs by hauling the building materials themselves. There appears to have been a temporary school here before the stone school was completed that was destroyed just prior to 1922.

This lovely and unusual stone school only served as a school for 20 years but was used for many other function during those years and after, including dances, fundraisers, and other social events. This school also has a stage that was used for travelling entertainers, student concerts and fairs. I don't recall seeing the inside of another school that had a stage. Just image the Christmas concerts and happy times that stage has seen!

The Playground and the Outhouse.

View form the stage. Notice the double doors on each cloak room.

Seems a single door would have sufficed.

Grate!

Inside the west cloak room, matching one one the east side.
Both with 2 doors, right beside each other. 

After it ceased being used as a school, it became a community centre. It hosted bridal showers, weddings as well as card games in the basement. You'll see photos of the basement, I can't imagine people hanging out down there. Definitely a man cave vibe, emphasis on 'cave'.

Had to check out the basement, despite my overactive imagination.

The school received a new roof in 1980, and in 1987 it became a Designated Historic Building in Alberta. The Delia Historical Society now maintains the school.

Sign the guest book and the chalk board if you stop by, see if you can spot our names on the board. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.



References: HeRMIS; Provincial Archives of Alberta: Our Roots
Photos taken on October 1, 2017.