The early years
of the century found many families moving into the area and 1908
the Park Spring School District #1963 was formed. The origin of
the name is unknown, but it is likely from the lovely spruce groves
and the numerous springs that flowed from surrounding hills at that
time. The school was built on the north-east corner of the N.W.
1/2, 22-43-28-W4th in 1909 by Mr. Richard Hannus. The original location
was probably chosen because it was the only dry location in the
area at that time.
Park Springs opened its doors in 1910 with Mr. Vernon Gilbert as
the first teacher, who also held church and Sunday School. He came
from Lamerton, Alberta.
As was usual in those early days, the school term was governed by
prevailing weather conditions and available funds, so school was
not held in the cold months of the year. The taxes for land in 1909
were 6¢ per acre, and for the following four years it was increased
to 7¢ per acre. There is no record for later years. As with many
of the rural School Districts, Park Springs had many teachers over
the years as retaining teachers for more than a few months at a
time was difficult, due to funding and local conditions.
The school had double desks and the usual stove in the centre of
the room that burned the faces of those sitting nearest it, but
did little for the comfort of those at the front and back of the
room. It didn't do much to thaw the frozen lunches that were stacked
around it on the floor either. One teacher, upon arriving at school
in the morning, always threw a pail of snow on the floor to keep
down the dust while sweeping it. Aching feet and numb fingers were
usual for the children that had to ride horseback such long distances.
In 1922, because the playground was so hilly and rough, the schoolhouse
was moved, using horses and a stump puller, to the northwest corner
of the same land. The building was renovated, painted and a foundation
was put under it. Mr. Monroe McLoed was the first teacher after
the school was moved and renovated.
Playground amusements at the school were very scarce, so the teachers
were taxed to the limit, not only finding ways to keep the children
occupied during the noon hour and at recess, but also with teaching
all the grades up to grade nine in one room. Many teachers were
forced to serve as "jack of all trades", filling the roles
of teacher, janitor, etc
The Priebe home, just across the corner from the school, was home
for a time to many of the teachers. Water had to be carried from
Prieve's well and though some teachers tried to make each student
use his own cup, who had time to get a cup when games were waiting?
They just used the dipper. In the summer one pail of water didn't
go very far so the students were often thirsty.
In 1928, when Mrs. Smith was teaching, there was not a sufficient
number of students to keep the school open, so the few that did
attend were sent to Crystal Springs School instead. By 1930, there
was once again enough children as Mrs. Virginia Kirk (Ray Kirk)
brought some of her own children with her, when she accepted the
position of teacher in the district. For a few years the attendance
continued to grow, and then once more declined. In 1944, the Park
Springs School officially closed its doors forever.
In 1954 the school was purchased from the County with contributions
from members of the district and it became a Community Centre, and
was also used for church services and daily vacation Bible School
during the summers.
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