McGrath 100 year history of schools

McGrath became a town as a result of all the efforts made by logging men, women, homesteaders and businessmen, alike. Children from the Schipansky school, south of McGrath were moved to McGrath in 1910. The classes were held in the upstairs of the Torson Store until the new school was completed.

Ed Vivant arrived in McGrath in 1914 and started a blacksmith shop. One of his first jobs was to build canvas covered horse drawn school buses. Heated soapstones would aid the students in keeping their feet warm as they traveled to school.

1916 School
In 1916, another new school was built. The previous school building was turned into a teacherage for single women teachers. In 1930, a gym and more classrooms were built onto the high school. In the gym, they built a projection room and showed movies for the community’s entertainment. The stage was used by the Community Club to put on plays for fundraisers and entertainment.

In 1952, McGrath School District moved the Wilson School building from Dad’s Corner into McGrath. They made it into apartments for teachers. The old teacherage became a home for the Superintendent.

December of 1969 brought disaster to the McGrath school when the school burnt. After the fire students attended classes in the McGrath Senior Citizens Hall so the youngsters would not have a long bus ride to a neighboring school. After a lengthy court battle and numerous public hearings, on Sept. 20, 1972 McGrath students merged into four neighboring school districts (McGregor, Isle, Mora and Finlayson.) Shortly after, around Thanksgiving of 1972, construction began on a new elementary school at McGrath. Classes commenced in the new building in the fall of 1973. A total of 62 students enrolled.

Submitted by
Darlene Maciej