Fairacres

Buildings like it were everywhere in rural districts across the province in the first half of the twentieth century – there were thousands of them! A person need only travel a short distance back then, down some random backroad, to see one. Where there was a group of farms, one would be found. We’re speaking of the country school. Most are gone now and relegated to history, sadly, but a few survive here and there for any number of reasons, like the one we’re documenting here, Fairacres.

We explore it on a fine fall day, fields of gold all around. The gentle breeze blows but otherwise there’s not a sound to be heard. The school’s abandoned now, but still stands square and proud. We think of all the farm kids that were taught, the teachers that worked here and how lonely and thankless the job was for them.

Fairacres has stood in two places. From 1911-1937 it was located a bit north of where it is today. Later it was moved to this current location which was more central to the student population, where it operated from 1937-1944. Afterwards they bused the kids to the nearest town to attend classes at a school there. Improved roads meant the closing of many rural schools.

Fairacres is a pretty typical rural school, rectangular in shape with one room, and with banks of large windows set to catch the sun, with which to light the interior. In the short days of winter oil lamps were also used – there was no electricity here.

The bell tower is rather unique and the Team has only seen a few rural schools that had this feature. We can hear it ringing loud and clear…ding-dong, time for class! The bell was removed some time ago but is said to still exist somewhere.

Heat would have been by coal stove. Students near it would cook, where as those furthest away would freeze their behinds off. Things like insulation were non existent and heaven help you if the winter winds made an appearance. Picture it, the howling gusts, snow swirling, the temperature hovering close to near absolute zero. Kids in school today have it so easy compared to those who attended Fairacres.

The teacher would generally take up residence at a local farm.

Enrolment here could be counted on two hands (and maybe a foot). Give or take. It’s suggested only grades one through six were taught here, with higher classes being held elsewhere for the few that went that far. Back then a grade six education was considered fine by many. Pupils came from nearby farms and either road horse or walked to attend classes. We heard it was a good ten miles to get here, up hill, both ways of course. Distances I guess were longer back then and the topography more roller coaster like.

Many students would be related.

Since closing the building, for a time at least, was used for grain storage by a local farmer. It’s not clear if it’s still used in that capacity.

In spite of being well over a century old, the building appears in pretty good shape. And it photographs wonderfully.

There were once thousands of these small country schools in the province (reports vary as to the exact amount). Most are gone, and those few that are left have either been repurposed, some converted to community centre use where as others like Fairacres became ersatz grain storage bins. A lot of those still standing are simply abandoned. Most one room schools date from the 1900-1930 period and were closed in the 1940s and 1950s. By then it was easier to consolidate schools in town and send the kids there by bus. Still, the last one room school in the province did not close until the early 2000s.

In the area and also seen this same day, a long abandoned farm house. It’s believed it dates from the 1910s and was abandoned in the 1950s, meaning it’s been empty longer than it was lived in. It’s in a remote corner of a field, well away from any road, with nothing else around as far as one can see. A few stunted trees, a windmill and odd bits of old machinery scattered about keep it company. Along with the occasional cow. What a lonely forgotten place.

On the drive out, a very cool ex-military (USA?) tanker truck with huge flotation tires. The roads around here can get very soft, especially when wet and this allows the truck to get around and service wells that would otherwise be inaccessible at those times. This one appears to be an AM General M9xx Series from the 1980s.

A big thanks to David McKinstry for being our host this day. A fine tour it was and we saw many fascinating things in his area, including the remains of a stone barn (which will appear in an upcoming article). Enjoyed the BBQ you held for us! If you’d like to show Team BIGDoer around your part of the world, please message us. We’re always in the mood for adventure and the chance to hang with interesting people.

School is in…
Liberty School.
sKooL dAyz.
Wanda one room school.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: September, 2017.
Location: Special Areas, Alberta.
Article references (and thanks): Book- Many Trails Crossed Here Volume 1, David McKinstry.

If you visit Fairacres School, please show it respect.

On a warm fall day exploring Fairacres School.

The last classes held here were in the 1940s.

The building was later used as a granary.

Among fields of gold.

Thee were once 1000s of one room schools in the province.

Later that day, this forgotten farm.

It’s been empty for countless decades now.

Old machinery scattered about.

And on the way home…we gotta stop!