Welcome to the Garfield District. The actual school was located 1.5miles north from here, but here is where you need to be in order to find the geocache.
Garfield SD #1954
(1909-1944)
SE-S19-T30-R3-W5 (SE-19-30-3-5)
Garfield School was named for James A. Garfield (1831-1881), president of the United States in 1881. The school was located on the east side, with the entrance of the school facing east. The school district was formed in 1909 and the school was built the following year, in 1910. Interesting facts, the school was closed for a period of time in 1930 and 1934. In 1930, there were reports of Infantile Paralysis, and in 1934 there was a fire in the school after renovating the furnace system went awry.
The seats were affixed to wooden runners to move aside easily for dances, so it illustrates how schools were more than just buildings for education, but rather the social connectors for the area.
In 1950 the school barn was tendered, and in 1955 the school and 2 acres of land were tendered. After, the school was moved to Cremona, where it had a second life as the local Scout building until 1967.
Garfield School
Tribute to the Pioneers of the Garfield District
This geocache has been placed with the permission and assistance of the Carstairs Museum.
References used for this series include:
- "Beyond Our Prairie Trails"- Carstairs History Book Committee, 1995
- "Acme Memories"- Acme & District Historical Society, 1979
- "Prairie Sod & Goldenrod: History of Crossfield & District"- Crossfield History Committee, 1977
- "Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk: The One-Room Country Schools of Alberta" by W.P. Baergen
- "Heritage Resources Management Information System (HeRMIS)" https://hermis.alberta.ca/