There’s something tragically beautiful about abandoned places. They’re romantic, nostalgic, mournful, provocative – the sight of a once charismatic building now forlorn and crumbling, a slice of the past now tentatively standing amidst its own shambles is both haunting and humbling, and yet entrancing. Idaho’s uniquely undeveloped landscape is full of these neglected homages to history, which sit quietly. In other states, these decaying beauties would be demolished and to make way for condos, shopping plazas, and mini-marts, but not here in the Gem State.
Our ghost towns are full of unique and quirky spaces that teem with the past – saloons, general stores, cemeteries… Yet, these old mining camps and their long-gone communities weren’t the only thing that kept Idaho thriving. Outside of these areas was a separate world that embraced the simplicity of rural life. The remnants? Historic, independent schoolhouses left behind as Idaho continued to grow and localize.
Today, you can take pay a visit to dozens of these historic schoolhouses by taking an “official” North Idaho self-guided tour. But there are also plenty around the state that are worthy of a photo stop! Ready to explore?
- Pine Creek School, Swan Valley
Mark/Flickr This beautiful historic treasure is slowly being reclaimed by nature (and man); as days go by, less and less of these beautiful boards remain to hold up what is left of the structure.
- Reynolds Creek School, Reynolds
Allen/Flickr Unlike many of Idaho’s other ghost towns, Reynolds Creek wasn’t so much of a community as it was a valley and road that just so happened to be on the way to Silver City. A school and post office were constructed in the 1880s and the town went through multiple name changes until mail services were rerouted and the town collapsed.
- Corral School, Fairfield
Nicholas D./Flickr To many, this is simply known as the Corral school - for obvious reasons.
- Mountain Home Schoolhouse, Potlatch
Trigger Happy Photography Tucked away on Mountain Home Road, this old beauty doesn’t have much left to it.
- Gibbonsville School, Gibbonsville
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Gibbonsville is one of those obscure little villages, tucked away in an overlooked corner of Idaho - this schoolhouse, which is remarkably well-preserved, is all that’s left.
- Fairfield Prairie Schoolhouse, Fairfield
City of Fairfield Prior to the settlement of Camas County the Bannock Indians utilized the Camas Prairie as their summer camping area. Here they gathered the Camas and Yampus roots and hunted wild game.
- Rock Creek Schoolhouse, Potlatch
Trigger Happy Photography This darling little country school is sitting out in farm fields surrounded by mountains.
Of course, these aren’t the only abandoned schools in the state! You just have to take a few backroads and keep your eyes peeled to find them. The schools on the official tour include: Nine Pine, Harpster, Eureka, Clearwater, Battle Ridge, Kidder Ridge, East Kamiah Union, Caribel, and more. How many have you been to?
Mark/Flickr
This beautiful historic treasure is slowly being reclaimed by nature (and man); as days go by, less and less of these beautiful boards remain to hold up what is left of the structure.
Allen/Flickr
Unlike many of Idaho’s other ghost towns, Reynolds Creek wasn’t so much of a community as it was a valley and road that just so happened to be on the way to Silver City. A school and post office were constructed in the 1880s and the town went through multiple name changes until mail services were rerouted and the town collapsed.
Nicholas D./Flickr
To many, this is simply known as the Corral school - for obvious reasons.
Trigger Happy Photography
Tucked away on Mountain Home Road, this old beauty doesn’t have much left to it.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Gibbonsville is one of those obscure little villages, tucked away in an overlooked corner of Idaho - this schoolhouse, which is remarkably well-preserved, is all that’s left.
City of Fairfield
Prior to the settlement of Camas County the Bannock Indians utilized the Camas Prairie as their summer camping area. Here they gathered the Camas and Yampus roots and hunted wild game.
This darling little country school is sitting out in farm fields surrounded by mountains.
Author’s Note: Many of these historic buildings are on private property. All posted signs should be heeded, and telephoto photography is recommended to avoid trespassing.
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