Early History as a School

The little red Schoolhouse of Harrop was built in 1912 after several years of classes in a log cabin to the west of the present site. The schoolhouse was built by volunteers using lumber donated from the local mill in response to the need for a “proper school” in order to retain teachers. The land where the schoolhouse sits was donated by an unidentified “gentleman of means” prior to construction.

Briefly it was the only school on the Harrop Procter side of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake until the new and larger school was built in Procter. That facility was opened in 1913 and expanded in 1920. For many years both schools operated simultaneously. The Harrop school stopped holding classes in 1965; thereafter all children on the south shore attended the Procter School. Leah Munch was the last teacher.

After its closure as a functioning school, School District #8 sold the building and the land to the Harrop & District Community Centre Society for a dollar. For a number of years in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the schoolhouse functioned as a kindergarten. It was then utilized as a play school for children of pre-school ages under the direction of Ronda Weber and Lori O’Neill.

The Next Phase

Following the dissolution of the play school group, the Society decided to rent the facility as a residence. Herbalist John Balf and his greenhouses occupied the structure and grounds for many years until, due to failing health, John was forced to move out of the building.

When John had to vacate the school, the Society decided that, rather than rent it as a private residence, there was more benefit to restore it as a place to hold rehearsals, social functions, classes and any other type of gathering that permitted the community to utilize the facility. Exterior improvements, including structural enhancements, new doors and windows took place over several years once the building was unoccupied.

The grounds became the site of an ongoing Sunday market while interior renovations were started. This process involved deep cleaning, painting and new construction of a wheelchair accessible bathroom and kitchen. The intent was to retain the feel of the original “one room schoolhouse”, keeping the original blackboards and shelving for example, while improving the building. Interior renovations are now complete, thanks to the effort of a core group of volunteers. With funding from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) the grounds have been landscaped over the past two years, making the exterior yard inviting to the community at large and market-goers alike. The Sunday Harrop market has become a staple during the summer months while the lovingly refurbished schoolhouse hosts art and artists, workshops, seminars, craft fairs and other community gatherings.

The historic Harrop Schoolhouse - designated a heritage building in 1981 - is one of many outlying one room schools to be overseen by a local community organization. In this case it is volunteers from the Harrop & District Community Centre Society that have done the renovations to restore the building for the use and enjoyment of the community at large.