Schools in Times of War

Marlin C. Baker wearing a military helmet.

During World War II, rural schoolhouses across Park County became vital centers of civic activity, rallying points where education and patriotism intersected. With so many families affected by the war—through military service, rationing, and economic shifts—the schoolhouse became more than a place of learning; it served as a hub for wartime engagement. As Budde Freeman recalled, “During the War, of course, that was our center, and they had big camps up there for the Air Force where we entertained soldiers and things, and it was just a real community there.”[1] In areas near military encampments, schools often hosted events, performances, and gatherings to support and uplift servicemen stationed nearby, reinforcing a sense of shared sacrifice and purpose. 

Children sitting underneath a World War I service flag.

Students were active participants in the home front efforts, often balancing their schoolwork with wartime responsibilities. They collected scrap metal and rubber for recycling drives, participated in war bond campaigns, and helped knit socks or assemble care packages for soldiers overseas. These activities weren’t just symbolic; they provided essential resources and instilled civic values in the youth. Paul Anthony Heil offered a vivid account of his childhood contributions: “We picked arnica flowers for the sulfa drug. Me and my brother, we’d go digging and scratching [by the narrow gauge] and sell [copper pieces] to the junk dealer, you know. It was all primarily for the war... but we also made our candy money that way.”[2] Children became contributors in their own right, developing a deeper understanding of national service, resourcefulness, and community effort. 

Memorial Day ceremony on Hoosier Pass in Park County, Colorado, circa 1940s.

In these uncertain times, the schoolhouse anchored rural life, offering both continuity and collective strength. While many families endured the absence of sons, brothers, and fathers overseas, the school remained a symbol of local resilience. It provided a space for emotional support, practical cooperation, and connection—a place where neighbors could organize, reflect, and take meaningful action together. The war deeply impacted rural communities, but the shared experiences within the schoolhouse helped sustain morale and fostered a sense of unity that endured long after the war ended. In every collection drive, school play for the troops, or soldier’s dance in the gymnasium, the school served as a living emblem of community pride and perseverance.