History lesson: First in a series

GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News

Two months ago I wrote about Margaret Ellman, longtime teacher. She told me of teaching at six rural schools, plus Columbia Falls Elementary School, during her career. I appreciated comments.

The same Oct. 22, 2009, column contained list of current operating rural schools with total 3,059 students in Flathead County.

I did not attempt to name non-operating rural schools. Nor did I use enrollment data from Flathead Valley Community College, elementary or high schools in Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish or Bigfork.

Following statistics are from a list of Flathead County school districts created from 1883 until data compiled Feb. 1, 1998.

District 1, West Valley, was formed through consolidating former districts Spring Creek #7, Sparks #8, Stillwater, #33, Prospect Park #47. (Bald Rock District #21 consolidated with Prospect Park, July 22, 1961.) Districts #7, #8, #33 and #47 were consolidated into West Valley District #1, Jan. 16, 1962.

Deer Park District #2 is still operating. First schoolhouse was built in 1886. First record of an elected trustee was in 1893.

Swan River #4 is still operating. It was called Swan Lake before 1906. District was organized May 16, 1893.

District #5, Kalispell, still operating, has an interesting history. Kalispell School District, organized in 1884, was formerly Missoula County District #19. First schoolhouse was D. J. Lambert's cabin on Stackhouse South. The school operated three months. Ashley School was built in 1886. First record of an elected trustee was in April 1893.

District #6, Columbia Falls, has a long list of rural schools no longer operating. Records show it was originally Missoula County District # 59. First school in Columbia Falls opened Oct. 10, 1891 and first record of elected trustee was in April 1893.

Former rural schools in School District #6 and dates established are: Coram, 1910; Essex, 1913, now operating as part of District #8, West Glacier; Apgar, 1915; Lake Five, 1919; Paola, 1920; Nyack, 1923; Summit, 1930; Martin City, now part of Canyon Elementary School; Hungry Horse, 1948, now called Canyon Elementary School.

Four schools annexed or consolidated with School District #6 were Bad Rock District #1, consolidated, Nov. 21, 1954; Half Moon District #17, annexed, Feb. 28, 1962; Canyon View District #19, annexed in part, Feb. 18, 1961; LaSalle District #49, annexed Feb. 13, 1963.

School District #6 boundaries were established June 9, 1962.

Flathead Valley Community College, created April 11, 1967, is District #7.

West Glacier, District #8 was created in August, 1986. Temporary setup at Glacier National Park Headquarters for the 1987-88 year.

This is first in a series of school histories in Flathead County.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident of Columbia Falls and a Hungry Horse News columnist.