This Spanish Colonial (Mission) Revival-style building was erected as a schoolhouse -- not for the two-year college that now occupies its rooms, but as a school with a K-12 curriculum. Designed by a Denver architect, the all-grade facility was the town's third schoolhouse. The first school, a 20' x 25', wood, one-room structure at the North Main and Carter intersection, served students in grades 1-8 from 1870 until 1882. In October of '82, a four-room, two-story, $4,000 schoolhouse, complete with bell, opened for "slate and switch." Classes for the town's 134 pupils were held in that building at the corner of Lincoln and Harris until 1909.
In 1909, a $20,000 public investment underwrote the K-12 school, the first school in the county where full high school diplomas could be attained. By 1921, the beautiful, red pressed-brick school boasted an indoor swimming pool (since filled in), a gymnasium, an auditorium and ornate pressed-tin ceilings (since covered with acoustical tiles). Also by 1921, teacher salaries were upgraded on a now-politically-incorrect sexual-discrimination scale: male teachers earned $67.50 monthly; female teachers received $49.50.
This handsome structure operated as a school until 1962. Later it housed the Breckenridge Town Hall, and now it serves the community as a branch of the College Mountain College.
Directions: Colorado Mountain College is located at 103 South Harris Street, Breckenridge, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris. From Blue River Plaza in the center of Breckenridge, proceed north on Main Street (toward Frisco) for one block to the stoplight at Main and Lincoln. Turn right (east) and proceed three blocks to Harris. Turn right (south) onto Harris. The college is on your right and is a large brick building