10-024: The School at Clayhurst

The first community effort in Clayhurst was the building of the school. Bill Ewanchuk took the job of building the school with the help of others who donated their time to its construction. The log structure was started in January of 1932 and opened at Easter of 1932, only to be totally destroyed [by fire?] on June 9, 1932.

Miss Harriet Stone of Skagway was the first teacher there, and had to continue school classes in a cabin. Miss Stone met an untimely death that summer in the Peace River.

A new school opened in September 1932. This school was sided and painted. A barn and entry room were built and playground equipment was added. These buildings were used until a new school opened in October of 1954. This one was propane heated and had propane lights. This was a big change from the first school which was wood heated and had coal oil and gas lights.

Mrs. P. Craig was the first teacher in this new school. Other early teachers in this area were Miss Edith Morton who had 27 pupils including some from Alberta, Mrs. Jean Gething, and Mrs. H. E. Craig who taught in the Clayhurst School for several years.

 

Clayhurst teachers

1931-1932 – Miss H.L. Stone

1932-1933 – Miss E.G. Morton

1933-1934 – Miss E.G. Morton

1934-1935 – Jean V. Gething

1935-1936 – F.J. Bower

1936-1937 – F.J. Bower

1937-1938 – F.J. Bower

1938-1939 – Miss M.A. Cuthbert

1939-1940 – Miss M.A. Cuthbert

1940-1941 – D. Borthwick

1941-1946 – Mrs. W.A.P. Craig

1946-1947 – Miss D.E. Brown

– Mrs. W.A.P. Craig

1947-1948 – Mrs. W.A.P. Craig

 

1934 School Board – Mr. Clay, Mr. G.W. Locke, Mark Powers