COPELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #2017

In 1908 pioneer Lenard Charles Evans sold a corner of his homestead property on NE.32.30.18.W2 to the new Saskatchewan government for $10 in order to provide property to build the Copeland school in 1908.  He essentially donated the land to the school district, but thought it would be unique to receive back what he paid the Canadian Government for his homestead patent in 1905.

The school and the district was named in honor of Roy Copeland (1877-1937) who was the first homesteader in the area. After participating in the Klondike gold rush in 1898 when he was 21, Roy arrived on the Quill Plains in 1905 to start patent on SE.2.31.19.W2. This 1/4 section was on the telegraph trail about 2 miles from Saline creek.

The plan for the school was drawn up by William Neale (SW.30.31.18) on store wrapping paper. Chas and Cecil Cornell were the builders, using lumber hauled by teams from the Lockwood area.

My uncle, James L. Hatton was appointed chairman of the first school board with trustees R. Whitelaw and D.S. Fish. Len's brother Harold F. Evans was secretary-treasurer. The first teacher was John Stepenson who instructed the first 12 student class.  They included: John & Evalina Blakely, Marion Brownlee, Derward & Lyle Fish, Josephine Whitelaw, John Barnes, Adam & Julian Boyko, Theodore & Solla Erickson and Marcus Fitzgerald.

A house (teacherage) beside the school was built in 1920 to accommodate future teachers. A tree windbreak was planted around the school in 1934, and in 1954 the original school as demolished and a new one built on the original site. The school closed for good in 1966 after 58 years of service.

The school is no longer there but a cairn was installed on location in 1980 to commemorate this truly historic site. Roy Copeland was 56 years old the year I wrote my diaries, but he died 4 years later at 60 years of age.

Thinking back, it was a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this school's history, as both my brother Clarence and I were enrolled at Copeland for our primary grades schooling and my son David and daughter Judith attended years later. The school was only 2 miles south of where we lived on section 10.  Photo of Judy's teacher Mrs. (Fern) Morrow in 1959.

Clarence and I are on the left in front of the teacher. I'm kneeling.