A celebration of education and community
Hola School has long held a cherished position in the heart of our community, embodying a rich history of education and togetherness.
Unfortunately, the doors of Hola School officially closed on June 30th, 1953, due to a decline in student enrollment, which left just eight students, one short of the nine needed to maintain the essential educational grant for operation.
Established in 1897, the Hola School District was born out of a need to accommodate a growing population of school-aged children. Under the leadership of John Olafson, the school building, along with a four-team stable, was completed in the spring of that year.
Remarkably, the land was obtained from the Crown for a mere $3, while the total cost of constructing the school amounted to $450.
The one-room schoolhouse welcomed its first teacher, John Thorne, who faced the commendable task of educating 50 young learners, alongside three older students, during the inaugural month. In July, G.M.
Robertson took over teaching responsibilities, continuing the legacy of dedicated education.
Throughout the years, Hola School witnessed significant renovations and upgrades, including a crucial floor replacement in 1923 following a fire. Additional improvements featured a cement-finished basement expansion, which offered enhanced safety and convenience, sparing young boys from navigating dark trap doors during chilly mornings to ignite the fires.
In a spirited demonstration of community unity during World War II, Frey and Hola Schools partnered to host a fundraising auction sale and dance to support the newly established Junior Red Cross Club and its fundraising goals. This initiative exemplified the strong sense of collaboration and support that has always characterized our area.
For generations, students walked through the school’s doors, acquiring essential skills while seated at the classic wooden desks that witnessed countless learning milestones.
Today, the weathered grey structure stands as a testament to its rich history, although the stables have since disappeared. An electric fence now secures the pasture where Hola School resides, allowing horses to graze peacefully during the summer months.
A cairn situated just outside the fence accompanies a metal stand with a cylinder containing a long-standing sign-in book filled with names of visitors. The plaque on the rock cairn, dedicated on June 28, 1987, reads:
“Hola, an Icelandic word meaning hills, was the name given to the one-room school which stood here. In the spring of 1897, the schoolhouse and a four-team stable were built on land purchased from the Crown. Classes began that June with 53 students enrolled. The school closed in June 1953, when enrollment dropped below 8, no longer enough for a grant. When consolidation took place in 1960, the school district was dissolved.”
The memories of this one-room schoolhouse continue to resonate within the community as former students fondly share stories of valuable lessons and enduring friendships formed during their time there. The legacy of Hola School remains a proud symbol of resilience, education, and the unwavering spirit of our community.
Visitors are invited to stop by to reflect on the experiences of those who once graced the halls of Hola School.
A descendant of a former student is planning an impromptu celebration at the Hola School site during Solstice Days weekend in June 2026.
PHOTO CAPTION: Carleen Hamilton and two of her grandaughters, Nyla and Nova took in the history of the former Hola School. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
