Fremont County will shortly welcome the reopening of a local icon June 22 with an open house and grand celebration of the Garden Park School, located at 5800 Garden Park Road.
After decades of restoration work, grant applications, and steadfast work, the Friends of Garden Park School and Gold Belt Tour National Scenic and Historic Byway will host the grand reopening from 4-6:30 p.m. June 22.
“We really want this school to serve a purpose again,” said Friends of Graden Park member Peggy Sorenson. “It has always been the heart of the community … so we look forward to doing that again.”
Originally, a wooden school sat on a parcel of land near the current site, but when it burned down in late 1891, it was replaced by the current structure. It took several years to construct the school, which began with a clay foundation from nearby Oil Creek, and the school’s families actively assisted in producing the clay for the adobe structure.
The school is typical for its time with a rectangular plan, front-gabled roof, tall narrow windows on each side, and a single classroom. It opened in 1895 with 48 students in grades one through eight. Enrollment remained steady throughout the next few decades and the school, the only public building for miles around, developed a personality all its own.
According to an April 28, 1926, Cañon City Daily Record article, it wasn’t uncommon for the school to host dances, baseball games, Sunday school, theater productions, and “literaries.”
In 1916, local rancher Luther Langford stuccoed the building’s exterior to way-lay deterioration.
By 1961, enrollment had dwindled to five students as many others had begun attending the nearby Cañon City School District, and the school subsequently closed the same year.
Though it remained an active part of the community for several years afterward, the school eventually fell into disuse and the wear of time began to show.
By 2000, a group of dedicated local citizens and lovers of history rose to the occasion to work towards saving the dilapidated building. Helen (Chess) Shoemaker, Cara Fisher, and members of the Byway worked to attain grants to restore the building, and in 2006, a buttress wall was constructed on the school’s west wall as it was rapidly collapsing.
Through the subsequent years, various grants were attained and work was completed in varying capacities. Windows and doors were updated, and in 2022, the century-old stucco was reinforced by hand, and the exterior was completed.
Because of the dedication of both the Friends and the Byway, the school has a chance to continue into the 21st century. Sorenson noted that efforts won’t stop with them, however.
They are currently awaiting news of a grant to reinforce new windows with a polycarbonate covering, after the new windows were destroyed by vandalism in 2014.
Nearly $190,000 of grant funds and community support have gone into the restoration of the beloved landmark and the 130-year-old building is nearly good as new.
According to Sorenson, the Friends plan to use the building as a bustling community center, where a variety of get-togethers, such as socials, presentations, celebrations and even chautauqua performances.
To get the ball rolling on the community center vibe, light refreshments will be served and attendees will have the opportunity to take a closer look at restoration work, including newly refinished floors and time-period authentic chalkboards.
“This school will continue to provide an opportunity to come together,” Sorenson said. “We want people to be curious ot learn new things … and appreciate the history of Garden Park.”
The school is currently listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, but for the local residents who are passionate about keeping it afloat and alive, it means just a little bit more.
For more information, email peggysorenson@yahoo.com.
Learn more about the Historic Garden Park School at https://www.historycolorado.org/location/garden-park-school-0.