Area 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) Architect Ella Capps Added to NRHP March 8, 2002 | Built 1939 (1939) NRHP Reference # 01001301 | |
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Location 300 S. Main StreetPinedale, Arizona | ||
Pinedale Elementary School is a historic school building located in Pinedale, Arizona surrounded by Ponderosa Pine trees. It is owned by Navajo County and leased to Pinedale, Heritage, Inc. a 501c(3). The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
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History
The school was built by local community members in the 1930s. Families donated their time and money to provide a larger school and newer facility. The Show Low School District took over the school in the 1980s. There was much controversy surrounding this take over as they claimed ownership of the land and building which was built without tax payer money and by the blood, sweat and tears of the local residents. They feared their school would eventually be closed and their children forced to ride school buses to other schools out of town. That fear was realized around 2004 when the Show Low School District closed this school - according to them - forever.
This school was a two-room school house. Children were taught the information of all 3 grades for 3 years until they advanced to the next classroom with 3 more grades. Grades 7–12 were bussed into Show Low schools. Because of the small classes and learning style, most of the valedictorians and Salutatorians of Show Low High School were from Pinedale and neighboring Clay Springs and Linden. That tradition still holds true today. From that school has come judges, attorneys, doctors, teachers and others who completed college and higher education.
When the school district closed the school, Pinedale Heritage, Inc. was formed under the direction of Pete Peterson, Linda De Young and Danita Keith to try to get back what was believed to belong to the community. The school district refused to turn the school over to them. After much pressure they agreed to donate it to the county under the condition that no school ever be allowed to held there. The school district refused to have formal learning their again, but because learning is so important to Pinedale residents they made their own library with thousands of books donated by local residents.
Activities
Activities at the former school include: an annual Easter Egg Hunt, an annual "Run to the Bridge" 5K and 10K as well as shorter runs and walks" through the national forest, Pinedale's "Chuckwagon Festival", the annual Navajo Taco Dinner, and on the Saturday after Thanksgiving the "Lighting of the Bridge" at dark (6pm) with Christmas caroling, hot cocoa, cider, cookies and a visit from Santa.
Weekly yoga, cardio exercises and Eating healthy Club meet there and are open to the public with a $1 donation for each meeting. New activities planned for this year are a community yard sale and a free family friendly movie night one a month.
The Pinedale Public Library is located in the adjacent newer building. It is open from 1:00 to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday and is part of the Navajo County Library District. Free WiFi and computers are available for public use and in addition, the library offers fax, copying and laminating services for a small charge.
The Pinedale Community Center has a beautiful auditorium with oak wood floors and knotty pine walls. The stage has hosted many events over the years. The former school, equipped with kitchen facilities, is available for rent for family reunions, weddings and other group events and new since 2015 is a Ramada, also available.