Where Are The Old Schools?

Readers of The ATA Magazine are asked to help with the establishment of a visual archive of the province’s early country schools. Many of these historic buildings are abandoned and deteriorating. Before time, neglect and the elements claim them completely, it is hoped that a photographic record can be compiled.

You can help

Let us know the whereabouts of these buildings. All that is required is a simple description using highway numbers referenced to a nearby village or range road and township coordinates.

Tell us what you know about the buildings (school names, current uses, original locations, if they have been moved, and their history).

If possible, provide a photograph. Photos can be print film or electronic.

Send information to Raymond Gariepy, Associate Editor, The ATA Magazine, by post, telephone or e-mail (raymond.gariepy@ata.ab.ca).

Swan River School District No. 2750
The school was built in 1921 and occupied the north side of NE 18-72-9W5. It closed in 1950 and was moved to Faust for use as a library. The building was moved to the Kinosayo Museum and restored in 2004.
—Photo courtesy of Kinosayo Museum

Gladstone Valley School District No. 1950
The school is located on Gladstone Valley Road south of Pincher Creek at the junction of Township Road 5-3A and Range Road 2-2.
—Photo courtesy of Barbara Grinder

New Salem School District No. 446
The school, which opened in 1905, is located near Camrose.
—Photo courtesy of Laura Woods

Lynx School District No. 3360
The building is now used as a school on the Holt Hutterite Colony north of Irma.
—Photo courtesy of Charles Allen, Wainwright

Zhoda School District No. 1498
The school was built in 1906 and is located northwest of Vegreville, SW-18-56-15-W4. It closed in 1951 and was converted into a community centre in 1955. “Zhoda” is Ukrainian for peace or agreement.
—Photo courtesy of Nick Seniuk, Vegreville