Welcome to Swift Creek, a historic one-room schoolhouse nestled southeast Saskatchewan. The story of Swift Creek begins in 1894 with the construction of the first school. However, by 1907, it was deemed unsuitable and condemned. A new school was built in 1908 using bricks sourced from Portage la Prairie and lumber from the Department of Education. The basement was crafted from stones gathered from nearby fields. Construction faced delays as they awaited confirmation of the school boundaries. Moving a brick or stone building was out of the question at the time.
Finally, in the fall of 1908, the new school opened its doors, this is the building you see here. The old school was sold and relocated to a nearby farm. Swift Creek wasn't just a place for learning. It was a hub of community activity - hosting dances, pie socials, parties, and more. Both the new and old schools served as venues for Sunday school and church services. When the Swift Creek Telephone Co. was established, this school was among the first in the area to have a telephone making is a central meeting place.
Without a dedicated teacherage, educators boarded with local families. If boarding wasn't available, the school had to close temporarily. By the 1940s, student enrollment began to decline. By 1952, with only three students left, the school was closed.
The Swift Creek School was sold and repurposed as a granary, marking the end of its educational journey but preserving its place in the community's history. Though its role has changed, the Swift Creek schoolhouse stands as a testament to a bygone era of education and community spirit.
We do a full video walkthrough of this old brick schoolhouse - check it out!