Our History

The Upper Twin Lakes School is a much loved, integral part of the Twin Lakes, Idaho community - both past and present.  Built in 1920, the one-room schoolhouse building was used to educate the community's children.  It was also used as a community gathering place. 

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In 1985, The Upper Twin Lakes Schoolhouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

"The school is historically significant for its association with the early development of the Upper Twin Lakes District, representing a type of rural schoolhouse architecture that incorporated expressive design elements not typically seen in early twentieth-century functional school buildings.

 

The building itself is one-story with a raised basement that has a square shape and a notable number of multi-light windows. While its architectural style lacks clear defining features, it bears similarities to the Colonial Revival style with its symmetrical front facade, hipped roof, detailed eaves, and projecting central porch with column-like roof supports.

 

Located halfway along the northern side of Upper Twin Lake, the area was among the first commercially logged in the county, with logging operations established shortly after a sawmill and sash and door outfit were set up at the foot of Lower Twin Lake in 1882. The community grew with mixed farm and timber homestead settlements, and a logging spur was extended along the northern shore of Upper Twin Lake after the construction of the Idaho and Washington Northern Railroad adjacent to Lower Twin Lake in 1908. The first school to operate in the Upper Twin Lakes District was the 'Shove' school. " (From application for Idaho State Historical Society Nomination - 1985) 

 

Classes were held for the community's children, grades K-6, until 1947.

 

In 1947, the Upper Twin Lakes School was consolidated into the Lakeland (Rathdrum) School District.  

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Over its history, the Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse has been the center of our community.  While it was still being operated as a school, it was used for dances on Saturday nights and church services on Sundays. 

During World War II, the schoolhouse was used by the Lakeside Club, a group of Twin Lakes women with a rich history in the community to help with the war effort. These women organized first aid classes, collected aluminum and used nylon hosiery for making powder bags for large cannons, and knitted socks and sweaters for the Red Cross.

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The Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse has always been maintained by volunteers, so even after its closure as a school, and with the continued support of the Twin Lakes Community, it continued to be used for all types of events.  Some of the events have included 4H and Boy Scout meetings, birthday parties, weddings, community dances, pot lucks, bingo, holiday parties, and garden club meetings. It was even used as a place to vote.

 

In the late 1990's, the Twin Lakes Schoolhouse was deemed unsafe for large gatherings because of large crack in the northeast corner of its foundation. 

 

In 2014, several dedicated and passional members of our community once again joined together.  This time, the non-profit organization, The Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse Foundation, Inc., was formed. 

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The Foundation's goal is to restore its historic beauty, preserve its history, and ensure its longevity for future generations. Through the support of local businesses, community members, and volunteers, the Foundation will continue fundraising efforts to achieve this goal. 

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Share your information!

Do you have stories, photographs, maps or other historical information about the Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse?  We want to hear from you!  Sharing your information can help future generations learn about the rich history of the Schoolhouse and the community of Twin Lakes.
Email us at contact@twinlakesschool.org