07/31/2026
We spent hours digging through newspaper archives, historical records, old photographs, conversations with community members, and countless online searches only to realize much of the history of this building had been lost. More than once, we thought we had a date or detail figured out—only to find another source that had us questioning it.
We didn’t want to simply make something that looked nice, we wanted it to be accurate.
It also felt fitting that this story be told on an original chalkboard salvaged from the schoolhouse itself. Rather than hanging a modern display, we wanted to preserve a piece of the building and let its history become part of the story it tells.
From opening as School District No. 5 in 1909, to closing its doors as a school in 1963, to Tony Rakowski preserving it as his home and antique shop, to the restoration that brought it back to life—we wanted every chapter to be represented.
If you stop in, take a few minutes to read through the timeline, you might learn something new about a building that’s been part of our community for well over a century.
Thank you to everyone who shared memories, photos, and pieces of history with us along the way. This project wouldn’t have been possible without our community.
Did you or someone in your family attend School District No. 5? We’d love to hear your memories in the comments!!
