Valier in Pondera County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Valier Public School
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022
1. Valier Public School Marker
Inscription.
Valier Public School. . When the town of Valier was founded in 1909, a wood-frame schoolhouse was quickly erected to serve the children of the new community. Less than two years later, the school board moved to replace that school with a more substantial building. In 1911, with funds provided by the sale of bonds, the board commissioned prominent Great Falls architect George Shanley to design the new school. Sandstone was chosen as the building medium in order to keep the work local and avoid importing materials. Shanley selected a quarry site on Dupuyer Creek. William Young of Great Falls supervised the quarry, cutting and transporting the stone by horse-drawn wagon to the building site three miles away. Seven months later the new school opened with 121 students in attendance. The masterful stone architecture illustrates the high aspirations of Valier’s citizens for the prosperity of their community. Notable features include a stuccoed bell tower with applied metal and wood detailing and a tall, half-circle window that lights the inner stairway. Originally four classrooms opened onto central corridors and served all grades. With the completion of a high school in 1918, Valier Public School became a grammar school that served the children of Valier until 1952.
When the town of Valier was founded in 1909, a wood-frame schoolhouse was quickly erected to serve the children of the new community. Less than two years later, the school board moved to replace that school with a more substantial building. In 1911, with funds provided by the sale of bonds, the board commissioned prominent Great Falls architect George Shanley to design the new school. Sandstone was chosen as the building medium in order to keep the work local and avoid importing materials. Shanley selected a quarry site on Dupuyer Creek. William Young of Great Falls supervised the quarry, cutting and transporting the stone by horse-drawn wagon to the building site three miles away. Seven months later the new school opened with 121 students in attendance. The masterful stone architecture illustrates the high aspirations of Valier’s citizens for the prosperity of their community. Notable features include a stuccoed bell tower with applied metal and wood detailing and a tall, half-circle window that lights the inner stairway. Originally four classrooms opened onto central corridors and served all grades. With the completion of a high school in 1918, Valier Public School became a grammar school that served the children of Valier until 1952.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series.
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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 48° 18.273′ N, 112° 15.389′ W. Marker is in Valier, Montana, in Pondera County. Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Street and Chouteau Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 820 3rd Street, Valier MT 59486, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Dispute Over Horses and Guns (approx. 13.2 miles away); Signs of Home (approx. 13.2 miles away).
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022
2. Valier Public School and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022
3. Valier Public School
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022
4. Valier Public School
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
