Self-directed Tours
1. THE MUSEUM corner of Third and Trainor
It was the first permanent school building in Atlin, built in 1902. Before that time, students met at the abandoned Board of Trade Hotel where they shivered with their teacher through icy days when the wind funnelled snow through rough board walls.
The next year a large second-hand tent became the school. It was spacious and light, at least until the days grew short. In the depth of winter two crackling wood stoves were not enough to hold back the cold from canvas walls. When this school was finally built, one room held all grades for many years. Eventually a wall was built and split the building into two classrooms. Two teachers had cramped quarters in the basement and the School Board hired either two men or two women to work there at a time. The confining winters took their toll of the most tolerant of souls and married couples proved to be the most effective stalwarts. The school was spared in the 1914 fire that levelled the town’s centre as it was located one block to the south where the Northern Lights College is now located. This building was used until 1968, at which time it was the oldest operating school in Canada. A trailer was hauled into town in minus 60-degree weather and it became the new school. This building was condemned and about to be destroyed when the Community Club took it up as their new meeting hall. It was moved to this site and eventually the Atlin Historical Society took over ownership.
