Our settlers and their schools

GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News

It seems to me that establishment of rural schools indicates area growth through the years showing history of Flathead County.

There were farmers, loggers, adventurers, settling in the Flathead and interested in education for their children.

Later, many were employed in construction of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Great Northern Railway, State Mill, now Stoltze Lumber Co., Woodland Park, present location of Whitefish Golf Club Restaurant, to name just a few.

Area businessmen are descendants of these pioneers. Some have remained, others returned. Second-, third-, fourth-generation family members are today's students.

Many of us — not all octogenarians — recall dissension when Bad Rock School was annexed to District 6, but cannot remember year.

Somers District 29, created Sept. 10, 1895, was first called McGovern, then became Somers in 1906. It was united with old District 27, April 26, 1899. Expansion continued with Brocken District 13, Demersville District 14, Lakeview District 27, Hodgson District 28, Lakeside District 30 and Roussell District 48 all becoming part of Somers District 29. Classes for Somers District 29 are held in both Lakeside and Somers. A new school was built in 1997-98 in Lakeside. First record or an appointed trustee was June 1897.

Marion District 54 was created Dec. 27, 1905. It was consolidated with Thompson River District 60, Feb. 19, 1963, and with Athens District 59, which included Ashley Creek, Mountain View and an upper Athens School at one time, May 25, 1964. The post office was given as "Swan" a number of years ago. First record of an appointed trustee was December 1905.

Whitefish District 44 was created Sept. 21, 1903. Schools operating at the time of this report in 1998, included Muldown, grades K-4, Central, grades 5-8 and Whitefish High School, grades 9-12. First record of an appointed trustee was September 1903.

Olney-Bissell District 58 was created Feb. 22, 1907. It was called Olney-Bissell from 1927. Following schools have been listed as begin in this district: Olney, Bissell, Stryker, Hansen's Radnor, Twin Bridges, Finley, Doyle and Mock. Olney School was built in 1919. First record of an appointed trustee for Olney was February 1907.

High schools now are Flathead and Glacier in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Whitefish.

Years ago there were high schools in Somers and St. Matthew's.

Flathead Valley Community College District 7 was created April 11, 1967.

Thankfully, this concludes research and rural school history series.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident of Columbia Falls and a Hungry Horse News columnist.