SPRAGUE RIVER - 97639
SCHOOL
BLOCK 3
One-room school, first school in Sprague River c.1924 - Newspaper press photo
September 9, 1924: "A new organ for the school was unloaded at the railroad terminal Friday. It was purchased from the Klamath Music House and is a bargain for the money." (The Evening Herald)
September 16, 1924: "School opened with Miss Annie Young as teacher. Sixteen children are enrolled." (The Klamath News)
October 4, 1924: "Fred Peterson, clerk of the county school unit visited the local school last Monday. He discussed plans for a new building for the school." (The Klamath News)
October 18, 1924: "Community singing was held in the schoolhouse Wednesday evening. Thirty new song books cost $15 have just been received. The money was raised by voluntary subscription." (The Klamath News)
January 17, 1925: "Sprague River, that little settlement 40 miles east of Klamath Falls, is to have a school house, it was decided at a meeting of the county school board Thursday.
Arrangements will be made immediately to secure a site and obtain plans for the new structure and the work will be pushed to completion this year." (The Evening Herald)
April 25, 1925: "Logical location of the new county school to be erected at Sprague river this summer, and to be ready for use next fall, is half way between the settlement proper of Sprague and the Campbell-Towle Lumber company located on Sprague river, it has been decided. County School Superintendent Fred Peterson said today. Mr. Peterson has just returned from Sprague river where he conferred with residents of that community on the project.
Inasmuch as 12 or 15 small houses for mill workers at the Campbell-Towle mill, are being erected, it would be a mistake to locate the school too far away from the mill, Mr. Peterson explained.
Final arrangements for the new school building will be made at an early date and a contract will probably be let late this spring." (The Evening Herald)
May 8, 1925: "The final stamp of approval was given the construction of a new two room school house for Sprague river. In order to handle the increased growth of the town of Sprague river, the original plans of the school have been changed from a one room school to two rooms. Bids will be let in the near future." (The Evening Herald)
May 14, 1925: "Our term of school will close Friday, we will miss out teacher Miss Young, as she has been a great help to the vicinity while she has been with us, and we wish her the very best of success wherever she may go." (The Klamath News)
May 21, 1925: "The Clarks have purchased the school house and have converted it into a dwelling, and are now living there. Ministers not only converts people but sometimes houses." (The Klamath News)
July 16, 1925: "The Klamath County School District Board will receive bids for the erection of a two-room school build at Sprague River.
Bids close July 20th, 1925, at two p.m." (The Evening Herald)
July 28, 1925: "If the new school building is not completed by the time school begins the people at Sprague River will be disappointed." (The Evening Herald)
August 4, 1925: "We as patrons are very much elated over the new school building which is progressing so nicely, and at the fact that we will soon have a $5000.00, school building. This will be quite an asset to our town." (The Evening Herald)
November 20, 1925: "Our school is progressing nicely under the efficient management of Professor and Mrs. Lester A. Bender. The Benders came from Seattle, Wash. and we consider we are very fortunate in getting them." (The Evening Herald)
November 25, 1925: "There was a box social at the school house on Friday night of last week, and about $25 was taken in: the proceeds go to improving the school property." (The Evening Herald)
January 14, 1926: "Increased population is the cause of several additions to schools throughout the county. One new room will be added to Sprague River school." (The Evening Herald)
January 18, 1926: "Alford McNair and Archie Barkley have a contract to dig a well for the county at the school house, and the work is progressing nicely." (The Evening Herald)
April 16, 1926: "Our school is progressing nicely under the efficient management of Mrs. Smith of Klamath Falls, and Mrs. McMillin of Idaho." (The Evening Herald)
April 20, 1926: "Another room on the Sprague River school building is badly needed, according to the superintendent's office, and this matter has been cared for with the laying aside of $1000 for improvement work." (The Klamath News)
Two-room school with teachers quarters, c.1926 Newspaper press photo
November 11, 1928: "The school at Sprague River is enjoying a piano, which arrived Monday from Klamath Falls." (The Klamath News)
July 31, 1931: "Responding to a request from the Sprague River Commercial club to attend a meeting to discuss the high school problem, Fred Peterson, county school superintendent, was a visitor of the club, Tuesday evening.
Sprague River has been without high school facilities since the town was founded, but it was suggested by Peterson that running a school bus to carry the pupils to an accredited high school would be the most feasible plan, providing there are a sufficient number of students of high school age to warrant the expense." (The Evening Herald)
August 20, 1932: "An emergency school room 20 by 30 feet in size will be added to the school at Sprague River before the opening of school on September 6, Superintendent Fred Peterson stated Saturday. The moving of the box factory to Sprague River has increased the prospective enrollment of students from the 45 who attended last year to nearly 75, he stated, making the additional room necessary." (The Evening Herald)
September 19, 1932: "School opened here September 6 with 82 pupils. Last year only 48 pupils were enrolled. R.H. Hammon is principal, with Miss Ellen Konap and Miss Ruth Campbell as other teachers." (The Evening Herald)
November 16, 1932: "Mrs. Isabelle Brixner, county school supervisor, made her regular school inspection trip to Bly and Sprague River on November 16." (The Evening Herald)
December 5, 1934: "Miss Marjorie Bowman spent Thanksgiving day with her parents at Merrill. She is one of the school teachers in Sprague River." (The Klamath News)
September 21, 1935: "At the close of the first week of the new semester there are 92 students registered in the local school, eight of whom are in the high school division.
Teachers this year are: Loy Barker and Misses Lola Talbot, Mildred Shipman and Marjorie Bowman. Mr. Barker and Miss Talbot have charge of the advanced classes." (The Klamath News)
January 4, 1936: "The teachers of the Sprague River school gave a very interesting program at the close of school prior to the Christmas holidays. At the close of the program each child was given a big bag of candy, nuts and fruit." (The Evening Herald)
March 18, 1936: "Miss Mildred Shipman has been confined to her home with a siege of mumps this week. Mrs. Loy Barker has been substituting for her at the school." (The Evening Herald)
March 31, 1936: "The school cafeteria closed a week ago Friday. The children have a full hour for lunch now and most of them find it convenient to go home to a hot lunch." (The Evening Herald)
December 4, 1936: "The gymnasium at the present time is undergoing quite a change. Carpenters are busy adding a new kitchen and making a few other improvements. The new kitchen will be larger than the old one, which will eventually be made into a dressing room and during the winter will be used as a meeting place for the service league." (The Klamath News)
May 28, 1937: "Sealed bids will be received at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the 98th day of June, 1937, at the office of the Klamath County School District, County Court House, Klamath Falls, Oregon, for the erection of the following projects, all according to plans and specifications prepared by the office of Howard R. Perrin, Architect. Project B -- Class Room Addition to the Sprague River School." (The Klamath News)
August 31, 1937: "Miss Anna Dolazel of the school faculty is preparing the teacherage for the coming of the teachers." (The Evening Herald)
September 29, 1937: "School is getting under way under the principalship of John Heyden. Miss Mildred Shipman teaches the primary grades. Miss Eleanor Barth the intermediate grades and Miss Ann Dolezal the upper grades. Miss Umphlette teaches the ninth and the tenth grades. R.C. Tusher is the new janitor. A new room and basement were added to the school this summer. A furnace was installed in the basement, the rooms were kalsomined and painted and the gymnasium received a new roof, all of which have added greatly to the appearance of the school." (The Klamath News)
October 13, 1937: "Clifford Jenkins was in Sprague River Tuesday addressing the school children and organizing 4-H clubs." (The Klamath News)
December 19, 1937: "Miss Evelyn Umphlette, who teaches school at Sprague River, Klamath county, is here at the home of her parents (Salem), recovering from an attack of the flu. She will return to her school classes after the Christmas vacation." (Statesman Journal)
January 23, 1938: "Mrs. Arthur Roff has charge of the cafeteria at the school." (The Klamath News)
April 9, 1938: "Anna Dolezal is expected this week-end to visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Dolezal, southeast of Scio. Miss Dolezal is completing her second year of teaching at Sprague River high school in Klamath county." (Daily Capital Journal)
October 28, 1938: "There are five teachers in the school this year: Roland Parks, Principal,Miss Frances Mays, Miss Marie Michel, Miss Lucille Hoagland and Mrs. Okson. The attendance ranges near 130 pupils." (The Klamath News)
January 9, 1939: "M.W. Cherry, contractor, has begun breaking ground for the new school gymnasium and auditorium for Sprague River school." (The Evening Herald)
April 18, 1939: "The new school gymnasium is nearing completion." (The Klamath News)
September 15, 1939: "One hundred seventeen pupils have been enrolled in the local school this week. Roland Parks is principal with the following teachers: Miss Mays, Miss Michaels, Miss Hoagland and Mr. Hobbs." (The Evening Herald)
October 24, 1939: "County workmen are busy building a kitchen at the school this week. The kitchen will be used for social needs, cafeteria and for cooking classes." (The Klamath News)
February 1, 1940: "The school kitchen is now equipped with 100 each of knives, forks and tea spoons due to the generous donation by Ladies Service league.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the I.E.U. recently furnished linoleum for the school kitchen." (The Evening Herald)
October 7, 1940: "Sprague River public schools opened the year with an increase of more than 25 per cent over any previous year, according to figures released by Superintendent Roland Parks. The present attendance is 165 pupils, 55 of whom are in the six year high school.
The addition of the Junior and Senior years now gives Sprague River a four-year high school offering standard Oregon high school subjects. The school now boasts of a well equipped commercial department offering typewriting and bookkeeping. Excellent home economics and shop programs are also offered.
Sprague River high and Junior high is contemplating athletic competition in basketball, softball, track and possibly six man football. Hobbs and Parks will coach. The school will also enter county high school competition in declamation and play days." (The Evening Herald)
December 18, 1940: "Ray Marchant of Bonanza has taken over the janitor job of the Sprague river school. Les Thresher, who has been janitor for the last three years, recently resigned to enter other work." (The Evening Herald)
January 4, 1941: "An invasion of measles has reduced attendance of the Sprague River school during the last week. Mrs. Cardwell, county health nurse for the Sprague River district, spent Thursday visiting patients. Children whose brothers or sisters have measles were requested to stay at home." (The Evening Herald)
January 9, 1941: "Negotiations for the purchase of seven lots adjoining the Sprague River school were approved and it was believed that the deal would be closed shortly. The lots are needed for enlarging the school's playground facilities and at present owned by B. E. Wolford." (The Klamath News) (Block 2, Lots 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14)
January 16, 1941: "Alice Jean Grossman, who underwent an operation for appendicitis during the Christmas holidays, is back at her position as primary teacher in the Sprague River school. During her absence Mrs. Roland Parks acted as substitute teacher in the first grade." (The Evening Herald)
February 21, 1941: "Amsby Wilkerson, county school district handy man, spent Monday afternoon in Sprague River school working on the furnace pump and miscellaneous plumbing jobs." (The Evening Herald)
March 1, 1941: "The Klamath County school district is building a bathroom addition to Ray Marchant's janitor cottage. The work is being done by Marchant and Amsby Wilkerson of the school district force." (The Evening Herald)
March 10, 1941: "Bob Carnini and the upper class boys worked at grading and cleaning up the school playground Friday, March 7. Bob dragged the field with an old railroad iron behind his 'model A.' The other boys threw out rocks and leveled rough spots." (The Evening Herald)
March 17, 1941: "A new drinking fountain has been installed on the schoolground by Janitor Ray Marchant. This will eliminate the necessity of thirsty children on the playground running back and forth from the building. The fountain is located at the edge of the baseball diamond." (The Evening Herald)
March 29, 1941: "A group of Sprague River high school boys, under the direction of the janitor, Ray Marchant, staged a cleanup day Tuesday, March 25, on the Sprague River school grounds and adjoining lots.
The boys, armed with shovels and rakes collected about five loads of cans, brush and old scraps. The Geinger grocery furnished the school with a truck during the day. A vacant lot adjoining the school grounds was cleared for a softball diamond.
While the boys had the truck, they hauled a load of scrap lumber to the manual training building. This lumber was donated by the Crater Lake Box and Lumber company." (The Klamath News)
April 17, 1941: "School attendance here has increased 40 percent here has increased 40 percent over 1940, according to Roland Parks, principal. There are 162 students enrolled for 1941, while in 1940 there was 113.
Although the maximum attendance has been around 170 there is the yearly slump due to winter employment closing and children dropping out of school. Sprague River is the only major school in the county having no school buses. The entire school population is from the town and several farms nearby." (The Klamath News)
May 1, 1941: "A real estate transaction of interest to Sprague River people was the recent acquisition of eight lots in front of the Sprague River school by the county school board. The lots were purchased from the Western Cities, incorporated, through their local agent, Ben Wolford. The addition gives the 170 school children a safe and spacious play ground. Heretofore cars have sped across this public property, cattle have been pastured on it and trash has been dumped there.
A clean-up and fencing program will begin immediately. Present plans call for the placing of veneer core posts every six feet with a cable threaded through the top part of the posts. The posts will be painted aluminum color.
One of the biggest problems of the school has been the lack of smooth playground space. Cars have been driving through the school ground and during muddy weather have cut such deep ruts in the ground that play was almost impossible. The acquisition of this property will allow the local school authorities to close the ground to traffic except on special occasions during dry weather. A row of trees will be planted completely around the grounds affording shade and a windbreak for future years." (The Evening Herald)
May 9, 1941: "The Sprague River high school faculty committee had little trouble selecting the 1941 valedictorian, salutatorian, class historian, class prophet and outstanding senior athlete. Harold Keesee Parrish won all the honors as he is the only graduating senior.
The first graduating 'class' is 21 years old, a native of Venita, Oklahoma, is red headed and is six feet two.
In reality the first Sprague River high graduating class will be the class of 1942, composed of nine members. Harold Parrish needed only a couple of subjects for graduation, which he was able to get by taking junior subjects. This action gives him the honor of being the first graduate of Sprague River high school.
Superintendent Fred Peterson will be the chief speaker and will present the diplomas to the eight grade and to young Parrish. Peterson is making his third straight appearance at Sprague River graduation and achievement day exercises. His ready wit and homespun philosophy have caused the pupils to make him a unanimous choice for this annual talk." (The Evening Herald)
June 10, 1941: "Roland Parks and George Hobbs, teachers in the Sprague River school, are employed during part of the summer in the mill and box factory." (The Evening Herald)
June 19, 1941: "At Sprague River it is proposed to provide additional room for the high school. The school now has an attendance of approximately 200 children, while the building is not adequate for much more than 100. Three schoolrooms and new toilet facilities are to be provided." (The Evening Herald)
August 5, 1941: "Work has started on the building of four new rooms and showers to be added to the local school." (The Klamath News)
September 16, 1941: "Due to the failure of needed materials to arrive the Sprague River high school pupils found themselves without a place to attend school on opening day. Their joy was short lived, however, when Principal Roland Parks announced that the entire upper six grades would meet in the gymnasium until the new building was complete. The gymnasium, stage and dressing rooms are being utilized as classrooms and it is an unusual scene to see four classes being taught in one large room.
The work on the new building became stalemated when the needed cellutex did not arrive and it is necessary to lay off the carpenters. It is expected to be almost the first of October before the plumbing, floor treatment and finishing work is completed. In the meantime the work will go on as usual in the unusual high school." (The Klamath News)
September 16, 1941: "Mrs. Helen Hoffman of Bly has been elected English teacher of the Sprague River high school. Mrs. Hoffman will also teach socio-economic problems and will handle the glee club and dramatics. Mrs. Hoffman, a graduate of the University of Oregon in 1935 has had experience in the high schools of Bly and Monroe, Ore." (The Klamath News)
October 11, 1941: "George Hobbs, shop instructor and athletic coach of the Sprague River high school suffered a severely cut and chewed up finger Friday morning, when a board became caught in the power saw, dragging his hand toward it. Before he could withdraw his hand one finger was nearly chewed off. He was taken to Klamath Falls immediately for treatment. Unless the wounded finger heals rapidly, amputation may be necessary. Only quick action saved Hobbs from very serious injury to his hand and arm." (The Evening Herald)
September 28, 1941: "Work on the new high school building is progressing rapidly and plans are being made for the students to move into the news quarters around October 1." (The Klamath News)
October 17, 1941: "The first senior class of the Sprague River high school met Tuesday, October 14 with Holmes Gabbert of the master engravers to select rings, announcements and caps and gowns.
The ring agreed upon by the class was a yellow gold metal ring with the school initials and the graduation year engraved on the set. The announcement had as its motif a gold Indian head in a field of blue. School colors are blue and gold and the athletic symbol is the warrior.
There are seven members in this year's class. Of this group five started as freshmen in the Sprague River high school." (The Klamath News)
November 27, 1941: "Students of Sprague River school and numerous townspeople enjoyed several days of fine ice skating on the pond next to the railroad bridge." (The Evening Herald)
December 20, 1941: "The Sprague River school has been sent a bus by the Klamath county school board for use at games, playdays, music festivals and other away from home activities." (The Klamath News)
February 18, 1942: "Mrs. Isabelle Brixner, county school supervisor, visited the Sprague River last Friday." (The Evening Herald)
February 28, 1942: "Ray Marchant, janitor at the Sprague River school for the last year, has resigned his position to take a job with the state highway department. Until a new man is hired Parks and a crew of high school boys with Claude Parrish as foreman are doing the work." (The Klamath News)
March 22, 1942: "The Sprague River teacher's cottage narrowly escaped destruction by fire Wednesday night, when quick action stopped a blaze which started on the tar paper roof from a faulty stove pipe. The fire started about 9:30 p.m., just as the teachers were retiring. It was discovered as the smoke and flames came down through the stove pipe hole.
A crowd at a basketball game in the gymnasium responded to a call for help and the blaze was put out by water and fire extinguishers before it could spread.
The only damage done was a flooding of part of the cottage and a hole chopped through the roof by a volunteer fireman's axe. Had the blaze gotten another few minutes start, it is doubtful if it could have been controlled." (The Klamath News)
April 5, 1942: "The boom town growth of the lumbering and sawmill town of Sprague River is no better illustrated than in development of the school which has grown from the above pictured one-room red school house to the modern nine-teacher, full 12-year course program, and a completely modern building. This old building located less than a block from the present structure was school for only a few children, mostly Indian. This was the era before King Lumber came on the throne.
Following the one-room school came the two-room structure with teacher's cottage upstairs. This structure was far from modern as is shown by the school well, and old-type construction. Several prominent school men of the county got their start in this structure. One amusing incident is told of life in the old building. Wilbur Robenette, now principal at Fairhaven was living upstairs. One noon the children heard a crash and found that their principal had fallen through the thinly constructed ceiling of the attic. He was rescued before hitting the floor by a desperate hold on the rafter.
The last development of the growth of the school building was the construction this fall of a new six-room addition to house the upper six grades of the school. Included in this addition are modern shower and dressing rooms for both boys and girls, a large assembly, two classrooms and an office. Despite the fact that the new high school was built to accommodate possible future growth, it is already crowded and with the proposed logging camp of a large company to be located near the town, school officials are shaking their heads as to what to make next. The above picture shows an east view of the new building which is attached to the new gym which was built two years ago." (The Klamath News)
April 6, 1942: "The Sprague River school is conducting a scrap metal drive and folks who have old car bodies or metal waste on their place are urged to notify the school officials, who will send students to collect the materials." (The Evening Herald)
April 19, 1942: "Final checkup of grades reveal that two girls will carry the coveted scholarship honors in the senior class of the Sprague River high school for 1942. Vera Schmitz with a grade average well over 2 will act as valedictorian for the class, while Gloria Carnini will deliver the salutatorian address." (The Klamath News)
June 25, 1942: "Pupils who return to the Sprague River grade and high school this fall will find a very different building from the one they left in the spring. The building will be repainted both inside and out. New blackboards have been installed in several rooms, and desks will be sanded and revarnished. Janitor Andy Nelson is busy cleaning all the old wax and seal off the floors preparatory to sanding, resealing, rewaxing and refinishing them.
A new fence has been built at the front of the school yard and a bicycle rack has been constructed. The winter supply of wood is now being hauled by Tommy Wilson of Beatty, and is expected to be all delivered by July 1. Superintendent Fred Peterson announces that in all probability some coal will be delivered for the colder winter nights.
Due to the sanding of the gym floor and a new refinishing job, there will be no dances in the gym during the summer months." (Herald and News)
August 3, 1942: "Sprague River believes that it will be the first town in southern Oregon to have an outdoor movie. The unusual situation arose when Art Fidler, operator of the shows here, was unable to use the school gymnasium during the month of August as it was being used for school purposes.
The annual school clean-up and floor refinishing made it necessary to keep the public out for part of the summer and the demand for movie entertainment presented quite a problem since there is no other suitable hall in town.
Fidler and school Principal Roland Parks hit upon the idea of holding the shows in a portion of the school yard. The public reacted favorably to the suggestion and this Thursday will tell the tale.
Since there is no fence the public will be put on the honor system of paying for a seat. The school chairs will be used and the audience will be assured of perfect air conditioning.
During the hot summer months the gymnasium has been too warm for comfort and if the sound and projection is favorable, the idea of the outdoor movie may be an annual feature at this time of year. One of the big disadvantages will be the late starting time due to the long summer evening. It is expected that the newsreel will start at 8:45 for the first show." (Herald and News)
September 2, 1942: "Mr. and Mrs. Clifton James have moved to Sprague River, where James will succeed Roland Parks this year as principal. James has been athletic coach at Merrill and at Malin for the last several years." (Herald and News)
September 30, 1942: "The enrollment at the local school is reported to be 209; the largest to be recorded to the present date." (Herald and News)
January 23, 1943: "Owing to severe weather, school was closed for a few days." (Herald and News)
February 11, 1943: "Sprague children has a half-holiday Tuesday.
A water pipe burst and flooded the basement. The water was pumped out, repairs made and school resumed Wednesday morning." (Herald and News)
February 21, 1944: "The Sprague River school reached and exceeded its quota for the fourth war loan drive with a total of $1150. The quota for the school was $600.
The school is also very proud of its paper salvage contributions. The amount collected so far is 5880 pounds, the major part of it turned in by the children in the fifth and sixth grades under the supervision of Mrs. Blanche Cowbrough." (Herald and News)
1944-1945: Principal and High School teachers for the 1944-1945 school year: Inez Ludwick, Principal; Blanche Cowbrough, J. H. Hamilton, Blanche Montgomery and Ethel Pankey, high school teachers." (Official Directory: Schools of Oregon)
February 7, 1945: "Mrs. Owen Ludwick, principal of Sprague River school, and Mrs. P. M. Cowbrough attended a demonstration meeting in Klamath Falls Saturday for intermediate grade teachers." (Herald and News)
April 21, 1945: "The school and branch library received a new supply of books this week." (Herald and News)
June 28, 1945: "Ivan Pankey was elected on the school board at the school election Monday. He takes the place of P. M. Cowbrough, whose term expired." (Herald and News)
October 4, 1945: "A water fountain has been installed in the hall of the new addition to the Sprague River school. The pupils, as well as the teachers, are very happy over this addition." (Herald and News)
May 27, 1950: "Commencement at Sprague River elementary school was held last night, when eight students received diplomas." (Herald and News)
November 14, 1950: "Sprague River school now consists of six grades, with a staff of three teachers. They are Mrs. Helen Montgomery, first and second grades; Mrs. Mildred Lahoda, third and fourth grades; and Mrs. Blanche Montgomery, fifth and sixth grades. The seventh and eighth grades now attend school via bus at Bonanza." (Herald and News)
1950-1951: School personnel: Stan S. Sevruk, Principal and grades 7-8; Blanche Montgomery, grades 5-6; Mildred Lahoda, grades 3-4; and Helen Montgomery, grades 1-2. (Official Directory: Schools of Oregon)
October 4, 1952: "Our school is getting off to a good start with 24 going here and some 60 or more going on our buses." (Herald and News)
August 30, 1956: "The Klamath County School District will receive bids for the sale of the Sprague River old school gymnasium building, located at Sprague River, District No. 58. The building must be removed from the site by the successful bidder.
Bids will be opened at the School District Office, Veterans Memorial Building, Klamath Falls, Oregon, on September 20, 1956 at 2:00 p.m." (Herald and News)
September 21, 1956: "The directors accepted the $81 bid of R. J. Conway for the purchase and removal of the Sprague River gymnasium building. The directors agreed that it is a good bid inasmuch as the building is in the way and a fire hazard, as well as being unoccupied and a deplorable state of repair." (Herald and News)
Photo courtesy of the Sprague River Library
April 2, 1962: "Dibbon Cook, Sprague River, accepted a nomination for northern zone director of the Klamath County Schools last week; he became the second candidate for the post.
Also filing for the seat in contention was Richard Jessup, Chemult. Deadline for candidates to declare is April 6, according to the county schools' office.
Election will be held May 7." (Herald and News)
March 25, 1964: "Sprague River School will close Friday.
Beginning Monday, the 12 students now attending the school will be bused to other schools---the bulk of them to Chiloquin. A few may attend Gearhart School in Bly.
County Superintendent of Schools Cliff Robinson traveled to Sprague River Tuesday to announce the closing to residents of the community.
School directors voted last Thursday to close the school.
A number of factors prompted the decision.
It is felt the students will be offered better programs at Chiloquin, including library services, music and school lunches.
Furthermore, the building housing the students at Sprague River is old and enrollments have dwindled.
The permanent Sprague River teacher, Mrs. Mildred Lahoda, has been granted a leave of absence. Since she fell ill a few weeks ago, Mrs. Christine Hankins has substituted for her.
Mrs. Hankins will accompany the children Monday and Tuesday to ease the transition.
They will ride a bus already transporting students from Sprague River to Chiloquin.
Several students living southeast of Sprague River, closer to Bly than Chiloquin, may attend Gearhart School in Bly.
The present enrollment at Sprague River includes five fifth graders, two first graders, two third graders, and one student each in the second, fourth and sixth grades.
In enrollment it is the smallest school in the county system.
The future of the Sprague River School building has not yet been settled.
Directors, after voting to close the school, discussed the possibility of donating the building to a Sprague River community organization.
Further study on this aspect will be conducted." (Herald and News)
August 21, 1964: "Two Sprague River women Thursday afternoon appealed to county school directors to reestablish a school in their community.
The directors took the plea under advisement, but went ahead with the disposal of the former Sprague River school building.
They leased the building to the Sprague River Fire Department for one year at $1 for use as a community building.
Mrs. Mildred Young and Mrs. Harriet Parrish made the appeal for reestablishing a school at Sprague River.
'Quite a few are dissatisfied with the school situation and we would like to have our school back,' Mrs. Young told the board.
The two women cited the inconvenience and, in some instances, the dangers of the present situation.
The board of directors voted last spring to close the school, which housed just 11 students, and to bus Sprague River students to either Chiloquin of Bly. Most of the children who were attending Sprague River now go to Chiloquin, about 25 mikes away.
Director Paul Fairclo told the women that the reason for the action was to upgrade kids' education.'
He explained that centralization of schools is thought to be a way to provide better education at lower cost.
Mrs. Young said there are 60 students who could attend school at Sprague River in grades 1-8.
That figure was explained to be the number which would attend if attending Bly and Chiloquin attendance wasn't optional to parents.
She further stated that the majority of parents in Sprague River would prefer their children to attend school in that community.
Mrs. Parrish told the board: 'I have a boy starting (school) this fall and I surely don't want him riding a bus.'
Both women said that the bus taking children to Chiloquin has, on several occasions, run off the highway into a ditch and they criticized the bus driver, a woman.
Superintendent of schools Dr. Cliff Robinson said only one such incident has been brought to his attention, but directors said they would investigate the bus situation further.
Mrs. Young said that the Sprague River children aren't happy with the present arrangement. 'They are very bitter now,' she said.
With the closing of the school, Mrs. Young commented, Sprague River has become a 'dead town with no place to go and nothing to do.' The school has served as a community gathering place.
Chiloquin is too far to drive for school activities, the women said.
Robinson said he had been advised that the arrangement for busing children to Chiloquin has proved satisfactory to both parents and children.
If a school is opened in Sprague River, it may not be in the same building as the former school.
Directors leased the building to the Sprague River Fire Department for one year at $1.
Howard Roff and Dibbon Cook, representing the fire department, appeared before the board.
They asked that the building be either given or sold to the fire department for use as a community meeting hall.
School board attorney William Ganong told the two men that the building could not be given to them because the fire department is a non-profit private corporation, not a public body with taxing authority.
The building could be sold he said, but probably would go to the highest bidder.
A solution to the quandary was found when the board agreed to lease the building to the fire departent for one year at $1.
Roff and Cook agreed, meanwhile, to investigate the possibility of reorganizing the fire department a public body." (Herald and News)
September 18, 1964: "The Klamath County School Board yesterday reaffirmed a decision it made earlier this year requiring students residing in the Chiloquin 'attendance' area of Sprague River to continue attending Chiloquin schools.
The reaffirmation of policy came when directors of the five-member board declined to initiate a motion permitting Sprague River youngsters to attend Bonanza School, located outside of their attendance area.
What amounted to another 'hard look' in a series of perusals of the Sprague River matter was viewed by the school board at the request of a delegation of some 25 residents of the community who arrived unexpectedly at the board meeting to present their case.
The committee represented by Hal Coe, a local attorney, urged the board to permit certain students residing in the Chiloquin attendance area to enroll in classes at Bonanza.
The latest incident is one of a number of developments which occurred since last spring when the board voted to close the Sprague River School, which at that time housed 12 students. The remaining 48 of some 60 students who were in grades above those taught at the Sprague River School attended classes in Chiloquin, as required by the board's action in setting up 'attendance areas' several years ago.
With the closing of the Sprague River School and the ensuing opening of the current semester, some Sprague River parents sent their youngsters to Bonanza School, where they were declined admittance and advised to enroll in school at Chiloquin.
The line dividing the Chiloquin and Bonanza attendance areas is located at the gravel pit, about 2 1/2 miles east of Sprague River. County school buses link Sprague River with both Chiloquin and Bonanza.
At the meeting yesterday, the school board declined to effect a change in policy following an appraisal by Dr. Cliff Robinson, county superintendent of schools, that any shift of students into the Bonanza School would be 'approaching' an over enrollment problem there. Dr. Robinson pointed out further that although only 22 have indicated a preference to attend Bonanza, the school board would be obligated to exercise the same option in the other 38 Sprague River students who were already attending school in Chiloquin.
Although the board on any hopes of its petitioners for this year, it pledged that whenever an increase of youngsters was noted in the vicinity of Sprague River the issue of reopening the school would be considered.
Director Dick Jessup commented that the school was closed because the board decided that operating a school for 12 students 'was expensive and also because the pupils were not receiving the education they deserved.'
Ken Mitchell, representing the Forest Estates subdivision on Bly Mountain, commented that the sale of lots in the real estate project indicated that the board might have reason to consider reopening the school at Sprague River sooner than it might expect. He foresaw an influx of people and their families into the region which would require the board to re-establish the school of construct a new one.
The presentation of the arguments from the Sprague River delegation was tempered and orderly and caused Director Paul Faircio to praise the group upon the manner in which they presented their case.'
The petitioners' basic objection to their youngsters attending Chiloquin schools was that the road linking that community with Sprague River was extremely more hazardous than the one to Bonanza.
Frank McBain, a rancher, told the board that the Chiloquin Road is frequently covered with from six to 18 inches of snow during winter and is rarely maintained. In comparison, the highway across Bly Mountain is maintained daily and sanded every day and night by state highway department crews, he said.
His wife remarked that busing students from Sprague River to Bonanza would not result in additional expense to the county because a school bus is already operating between the two points.
C. E. Milhorn, a Beatty rancher, attested to the hazardous condition of the road. 'Frequently there will be no snow at Beatty, but you begin to run into it as you drive toward Chiloquin. And it keeps getting deeper. There's a snow belt up there,' he said.
Marlin Wilson and several others charged that their youngsters were no receiving an adequate education at Chiloquin schools and that the supervision of students was a continual problem there.
Dr. Robinson praised his staff in Chiloquin, and, on the subject of road maintenance, commented that the county road department had reported it would provide sufficient maintenance.
In a point on the Bonanza School, the school superintendent said that the building is so constructed that it does not 'lend itself to the addition of more classrooms.'
In other business, the board; --Agreed to lease the former Sprague River school to the Sprague River Fire Department for use as a community center." (Herald and News)
December 12, 1997: Deed was recorded at the Klamath County Clerks office for Block 3, Lots 1 through 12. This is the area containing the foundations. (County Records)
July 28, 2014: Deed was recorded at the Klamath County Clerks office for Block 3, Lots 13 through 24. The area immediately east of the school structure site. (County Records)