HISTORY:
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, rural schools dotted this landscape as hardy and ambitious settlers of European background worked to establish a vibrant and agricultural society. By 1920, the population had begun to decline, and existing schools were periodically moved about in an effort to split the sometimes considerable distances between the remaining families with school-aged children.
Prairie Union, originally built as the Hockett family homestead in 1912, was first located about two miles south of here on Telegraph Creek. In 1943 it was moved a few miles north of this site to the Shores family ranch, where it was first used as a school, then moved again in 1948 to its current location.
The students attended the school grades one through eight. After eighth grade, most children boarded in Malta during the week to attend high school and joined their families on the ranch on weekends. Classes were held from 9AM to 4PM, Monday through Friday. Teachers, often as young as nineteen and earning a salary of about $100 per month, lived alone in the school, slept on a fold-up bed, and cooked all their meals on the iron stove.
Rural schools also served as community centers, providing a meeting place for special holidays and events. Learn more about some of these gatherings in an audio recording available in the schoolhouse.
As the population in this region continued to decline during the twentieth century, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the state-required minimum of three students per class. Prairie Union graduated its last students in 1957 from this building.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Malta: Head south out on Central Avenue. After crossing the canal and passing 12th Street, turn left onto Highway 364 (it is unmarked). If you pass Joe’s In & Out on your right you have gone too far. In 3.8 miles the road will turn to gravel. In less than 0.1 mile, you will come to a fork in the road. Bear right at the Y in the road to take Regina Road. Continue for 30.6 miles to a T-intersection. Turn left. In one mile you will pass First Creek Hall and waste transfer station on your left. Continue for 5.8 miles until you reach a bend in the road. Turn right and travel south. Prairie Union School is on your right before reaching Buffalo Camp, APR’s public campground, which is 5.6 miles from the last turn.
From Lewistown: Head north on Highway 191. After approximately 40 miles, the road will reach a T-intersection at “Bohemian Corner.” Turn left. Continue on 191 through the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge until mile marker 109 and the sign for Zortman. Turn right onto a gravel road immediately after mile marker 109. At the fork, bear left onto Dry Fork Road and follow for 26 miles to a T-intersection. Turn left. After 3.5 miles the road forks. Bear right. Continue for 12.7 miles to the next bend in the road. Turn right at the bend and travel south. Prairie Union School is on your right before reaching Buffalo Camp, APR’s public campground, which is 5.6 miles from the last turn.
SAFETY:
Cell phone coverage in the area is improving, but geocachers should still be prepared for little to no service. Four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and plan to arrive with a full tank of fuel and enough potable water for your stay. The Reserve does not have fuel or grocery facilities, emergency care services, or “ranger” type employees. Please communicate your travel itinerary to friends and family prior to your departure and consider the weather forecast in your plans. Wet, unpaved roads in Phillips County can quickly become impassable with ‘gumbo’ mud that is very slick and gummy.