GCWG1F Starbuck School (Traditional Cache) in Washington, United States created by Mystery Ink

This cache has been archived.

Mystery Ink: It's time to put this to rest as location is causing some local concerns with drive ups and dogs barking. Will place another in the area upon next trip.

It has been a good run and have enjoyed all the comments, pictures and visits.

Thank you

GCWG1F ▼

A cache by Mystery Ink Message this owner

Hidden : 6/5/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Please Read Description before attempting. This cache tells about the history about my Uncles house in Starbuck Washington. The first school in town was held in a building near the railroad property north of the town. This first school started in the 1880's when a roundhouse was built the schoolhouse was moved closer the the hills but by November 1889 a new school was built a block west from City hall for $1000. The teacher for the new school was Miss Chard of Pomeroy on August 30, 1892, The American flag was raised above the belfry of the new $5,000 schoolhouse. The money for the new school was raised through a bond issue. The building was situated on the right of the railroad trestle across the Tucannon on the south side of town. The school was much larger than the old one and consisted of 4 rooms the two rooms were on the main floor and 2 was upstairs. The water system for the school was a well in the yard. A tin drinking cup was chained to the hand pump. The rest room facilities were outside and there was 147 pupils attending school at starbuck in 1892. In 1910 a new brick school was erected which is my Uncles house in front of the four room school at a cost of $20,000.William Codbalt of Walla Walla was the contractor.It was ready for occupancy by mid-term 1911. It had running water and inside rest rooms. A state examination was given the eighth grade pupils and several were promoted to the second floor, where the new four year high school was located. The grade classes averaged 35 pupils but few attended beyond the eighth grade for there were many jobs available in Starbuck for young men and women because of the railroad. After the brick building was completed the old school was put up for sale to the highest bidder. John J. Stoddard, attorney,bought the school and turned it into a hotel. It was known as the stoddard Hotel and it was situated on the Tucannon Street facing Front Street. In 1916 there were 217 pupils in the new Starbuck School. It was the largest attendance in Starbuck history. A large gymnasium was erected in 1920 under contractor Wilbur Critchfield of Starbuck.The building was made of Concrete 46x90 ft. By 1968 the town of Starbuck had grown to a population of 750 with the construction of Little Goose Dam on the Snake River. The Schoolhouse consists of four classrooms a multipurpose room a library kitchen teachers room,office special room,rest rooms and storage space. The town voted for a new school to be erected and a new one was built when I was there visiting I saw the new school and the Teach got on the lawn mower after school was over and started mowing lawn and the principle took the kids home from school on the schoolbus I saw like 19 kids leave. Anyways back on the old school. After the old school was shut down it sat for years people used it as a dump site burrying cars ect... And was put up for sale after it sat neglected for 10 years or so. So my Uncle bought it and is slowly restoring it turning it into a nice home. It now guarded by 4 great danes and a Mastif and Electric Fences. My Uncle gave me permission to place the cache as long as no one enters the gates or the driveway. The cache is outside of the property along the street so no need to Trespass. I repeat please do not trespass. :) He has also agreed to help maintain it. We visit him often so maintaining this cache should not be a problem. Be Stealthy due to muggles. Congrats to Bluesman63 for the FTF also wish to thank him for all his help.