Naming the West : Stories

Red Deer Lake Student Story 4:
The RDL one room schoolhouse

The RDL one room schoolhouse was an important part of our community. It taught grades one to twelve. The school started in 1881. It was quite small, but was still able to fit a lot of children.

The janitor lived there with a cat, since they had a mice and gopher problem. The pet cat would eat the mice and gophers.

If you were a teacher you had to wear long dresses

Or a long skirt that would cover up your ankles.

If your ankles showed back then it was inappropriate and you’d be fired.

You were also not allowed to wear hats. If you were a teacher you were not allowed to be married.

Because there was no heating in the winter one of the older boys would go outside to chop wood and make a fire to warm up the school.

School shut down in 1887, but yet it was not destroyed.

Yes, the RDL one room school house still stands today.