Black Forest Log School

Colorado Springs has a really fascinating history, and last week the kids and I explored another local history spot: the Black Forest Log School.

The school, located on the northwest corner of Black Forest Road and Shoup Road, was built in 1922.  Black Forest residents donated the supplies and labor to build the building.

From 1922 to 1945, the school was used by one teacher and anywhere from four to twenty-two students in grades one through eight.

The school doubled as a church until Black Forest Community Church (on the southeast corner of Black Forest Road and Shoup Rd) was built in 1940.

I loved this: “These things are older than your grandma!”

You can see the old outhouse – one of two that existed (one for boys and one for girls).  I would imagine that during cold winter school days, having to go to the bathroom was not an oft-used excuse for getting out of class!

The hand-pump well is also on this side of the school.  Running water and electricity weren’t added to the school until it was converted to a residence for the county roads maintenance man in 1947.

This is the cloak room, filled with memorabilia and information about the history of Black Forest.

The school was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 and was restored to more of its original state within about five years.

The 2013 Black Forest fire got very close to the school, but it remained completely untouched!

The Black Forest Log School is open on Thursdays during the summer.  I wish I’d known so I could have let you know earlier in the summer, but there is now only one day remaining: the last day the school will be open for public tours is Thursday, August 15th.  It will also be open during the Black Forest Festival on August 17th, and you can schedule a private group tour anytime (call 719-495-3017 or 495-2001).  A visit to the log school is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Colorado Springs has many free museums to visit: check out this list of free and cheap museums in Colorado Springs!