Something that existed for nearly 40 years in Edmond, Okla., before Route 66 was established is still standing today — the 1889 Territorial School House, which is believed to be the first schoolhouse built and opened after the Oklahoma Land Run.
Paul Sanders’ family was the longtime owner of the building, which was used as a camera shop for many years before it was sold to the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust in 2000. Sanders will be at an open house at the school building from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, reported Edmond Life & Leisure.
Oddly enough, though, Sanders doesn’t think his family was especially aware of the historic significance of the building. To him it was just his home, his dad’s business and a wonderful location for a young boy to live.
“We were right on Route 66. There was no Interstate 35 in those days so all the trucks and cars traveling cross country went right in front of my house, day and night,” he said.
The Territorial School House is regularly open to the public the first two Saturdays of the month from 1 to 4 p.m., or by an appointment with the Edmond Historical Society and Museum. The schoolhouse is also a popular destination for school field trips, where kids dress, eat and learn in the style of 1889 from a “schoolmarm.”
You can see a photo of the Territorial School House in Google Street View here.