Near Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Montana’s Oldest Standing School
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009
1. Montana’s Oldest Standing School Marker
Inscription.
Montana’s Oldest Standing School. . This little log building is Montana’s Oldest Standing Public School, built in 1867 in Twin Bridges, Montana, about 30 miles north of here. It served Twin Bridges until 1873, when the Masons built a two-story building with the first floor for use as a school. Nevada City may have had the first school in Montana, started during the summer of 1863 by Miss Kate Dunlap. Another very early school started in Bannack and was taught by Miss Lucia Darling, niece of Governor Edgerton. “Miss Dunlap’s school was probably the first Montana school, as Miss Darling’s school was not opened until sometime in October.” (Newton Carl Abbott, Montana in the Making, Billings: Gazette Printing Co., 1959, p. 230). Besides being the oldest standing public school building in Montana, this building is also very typical of many rural Montana schools even up into the 1920;s and 1930’s. The small room in the back is called the “Teacherage” and was used as an apartment by the teacher to live in. Dedicated rural schoolteachers taught grades 1-8 and maintained the school building as well as often organizing many community activities. Montana Heritage Commission
This little log building is Montana’s Oldest Standing Public School, built in 1867 in Twin Bridges, Montana, about 30 miles north of here. It served Twin Bridges until 1873, when the Masons built a two-story building with the first floor for use as a school.
Nevada City may have had the first school in Montana, started during the summer of 1863 by Miss Kate Dunlap. Another very early school started in Bannack and was taught by Miss Lucia Darling, niece of Governor Edgerton. “Miss Dunlap’s school was probably the first Montana school, as Miss Darling’s school was not opened until sometime in October.” (Newton Carl Abbott, Montana in the Making, Billings: Gazette Printing Co., 1959, p. 230).
Besides being the oldest standing public school building in Montana, this building is also very typical of many rural Montana schools even up into the 1920;s and 1930’s. The small room in the back is called the “Teacherage” and was used as an apartment by the teacher to live in. Dedicated rural schoolteachers taught grades 1-8 and maintained the school building as well as often organizing many community activities.
Montana Heritage Commission
Erected by Montana Heritage Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location.
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45° 18.486′ N, 111° 58.096′ W. Marker is near Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from California Street. This marker is located in Nevada City. MT. Nevada City, MT is located about 1.5 miles west of Virginia City, MT on Montana Highway 287. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Montana’s Oldest Standing School and Marker, on the right.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009
3. Montana’s Oldest Standing School, on the left.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009
4. Montana’s Oldest Standing School
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,013 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.