Jefferson School

School children and their teacher(s) at Jefferson School, +/- 1895.

The original Jefferson School building was first constructed prior to 1895. It featured a simple one-room design like most school houses during that time. However, it fell into disuse after a new school building was constructed in 1901, and was abondoned for many years until it burned down in the 1960's. The new school house, which was constructed by local builders Jesse Carruthers and William Craig, played a central role in the educational life of Jefferson, Colorado, for forty years. From 1902 until its closure in 1942, the school offered instruction to both elementary and high school students under one roof. A simple wooden partition separated the two levels of instruction, but otherwise, all students shared the same space—a common feature in rural schoolhouses where limited resources required multi-age classrooms. With only one teacher responsible for all grades, the school relied on a flexible and collaborative approach to learning, where older students often helped younger ones and self-paced study was part of daily life.[1]

Jefferson Schoolhouse, 2023.

Outhouse in schoolyard, 2023.

As mid-20th-century school consolidation reshaped education across rural Colorado, students from Jefferson were transferred to Fairplay in 1942, ending the school’s role as a formal educational institution. Yet the building remained a cherished landmark in the community. Its original design was largely preserved, with only minimal changes over time—most notably the addition of a wheelchair-accessible ramp and the removal of one of the two original outhouses.[2] A defining feature of the structure is its tall bell tower, which still houses the original school bell. The bell was purchased through donations from local families and students, symbolizing the town’s shared investment in its children’s education. Remarkably, the bell continues to ring today during church services and community gatherings, connecting present-day residents with the town’s early history.[3]

Jefferson Schoolhouse (front), 2023.

After its closure as a school, the building found a new life as the Jefferson Community Church, continuing to serve as a central gathering place for worship, events, and meetings. Situated prominently along Highway 285, the structure is one of Park County’s most recognizable and historically significant landmarks. Ongoing restoration efforts are focused on stabilizing the foundation and preserving the building’s structural integrity,  ensuring that it remains a functional and meaningful space for generations to come.[4] The Jefferson School stands as a lasting symbol of the town’s educational heritage, community spirit, and the adaptability of rural institutions in the face of change.