Marwin School District was founded in 1904 with the first school opening in 1906. They had borrowed $1000 to purchase furnishings, dig a well, and build a building. Miss W. Johnson was the first teacher and made a salary of $35/month. The school was very active with students participating in track & field meets and softball games. Parents would transport students to other rural schools like Aston, Audley, Good Hope and many more to participate in competitions. As travel was much more difficult in those days it was quite an adventure.
My grandmother grew up on the Babcock farm located about 2 miles to the south and 1/2 mile west from this school. If you look towards the grain elevator to the south they farmed right beside it. She would walk across country meeting up with other students along the way. She had the job of carrying drinking water in a bucket from home, splitting kindling and sweeping the school floor and was paid 10 cents a day. If you accidentally spilled the water you had to go all the way back and fill up again. Imagine making this trek in the winter time..
The Melville School Division took control of the Marwin school in 1946 as it did with the other rural schools in the area. It remained in operation until 1966 when it was closed due to dropping student enrollment. The Marwin Recreational Co-operative was formed in 1967 and purchased the school from the School Division for $1. They operated the building and grounds as a community hall and recreational grounds for residents of the area. There were card parties, Christmas Pot luck supper with gift exchange, spring tea and bake sales and dances.
In the spring of 1979, the original Marwin School was destroyed by fire. After a spring cleaning bee the garbage was lit in the burning barrel and everyone went home. Sparks ignited surrounding dry weiner sticks and everything went up in flames. The club then purchased an old school from the Canora area for $600 and it now sits on this original site. The club was dissolved in 1997 due to relocation and drop in population of the area.
These rural schools are disappearing so take time to reminisce and share any memories in your posts.