Camano City Schoolhouse and Community Hall History

Camano City Schoolhouse and Community Hall History. . The Camano City School District #18 was formed in 1903. This classic example of that eras "One-Room Schoolhouse” was built around 1905, to serve the children of the surrounding community of about 300 families.

The land was deeded to the school district, for just $1 in 1911 by Camano Land and Lumber Company, which employed many Camano City residents in varied aspects of local timber work.

The school's first teacher was Maude Hayden from the farm country of Iowa, who made the long, cross-country rail trip westward to Seattle, followed by, "a very scary boat ride” to Camano Island. Archives reveal her salary was $40. per month. In addition to regular classes, the schoolhouse was often used as an informal community gathering place for a variety of public meetings and events.

In 1936, Camano Island and Stanwood School Districts were consolidated and the Camano schoolhouse transitioned to very frequent use as the Camano City Community Hall. It served thereafter, as a polling place, courthouse, and venue for frequent community meetings, celebrations and entertainment. The "Camano Sparklers", Women's Auxilary of Fire District #1 became the building's managers.

In December 2012, the Camano Schoolhouse Foundation/CSF purchased the building and half acre site, from Camano Fire and Rescue District #1. CSF will manage, rent and preserve this historic symbol of Camano's past, as a distinctive and vibrant public gathering place, for a diverse range of educational and entertaining community events and family celebrations.