Last Saturday was a landmark day at our house. Not only had we been in Arizona almost one year (past that mark now) but my husband actually had both weekend days off!! Taking advantage of that, we hopped in the van and drove north (mostly), to and through Payson and on to the small town of Pine and smaller town of Strawberry where we found a little historic gem…and it even had a few doors.
Although the sign says “The Oldest Standing Schoolhouse in Arizona”, Arivaca, Arizona begs to differ.
The Strawberry Schoolhouse is a historic one-room school building located in northwestern Gila County, Arizona, in the small mountain community of Strawberry. Built of pine logs in 1885, the Strawberry Schoolhouse is reputed to be the “oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona” and now functions as a fully restored local history museum, complete with a late-19th century classroom exhibit.
The Strawberry School was formally dedicated as a Historical Monument on August 15, 1981, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 10, 2005. It is often called the “oldest standing schoolhouse” remaining in Arizona, but is closely outdated by the Arivaca Schoolhouse in Arivaca, Arizona, which was built six years earlier in 1879. ~Wikipedia
We weren’t able to go inside because you need to make an appointment to do so, but we enjoyed walking around the building for a better view.
Besides students and a teacher, there’s one more thing every old schoolhouse needs and that’s an outhouse. This one sported a door with a bit of pizazz…
…a lot more pizazz than the updated, portable model there for the rest of us. This one did have a pretty good company name, though, and a colorful door as well.
for Thursday Doors 4.1.21 Welcome to April!
PLUS A BONUS FEATURE FOR SQUARES: BRIGHT
This is the bright interior of Black Rock Coffee, home of my favorite dark chocolate mocha!
This, that and the other thing 
Doors + story = fabulous
Thanks very much, Sheree. 🙂
A funny thing time, isn’t it? Where did that year go? And yet it was endless! 🙂 🙂 Probably not, for you, because you had pastures new. Love the skware! Happy April, Janet!
It was both endless and swift, Jo, quite an achievement but one I hope not to repeat in quite the same way ever! 🙂
Oh Pine and Strawberry – two of our favorite places. Use to go to Stawberry all the time for their strawberry pie (when in seasin). This post brings back so many memories. Thanks for posting this.
I’ll have to find out when that is. Visiting the lavender farm was fun for me. We’ll definitely be back to this area to do some exploring.
love wooden structures, you found a little gem.. discovery is always such a fun happening.. waves across the miles.. enjoy the day!
It’s fun when you’re looking for something and maybe even more enjoyable when you come across something you didn’t even know was there. 🙂 Enjoy your day as well.
janet
That’s a wonderful building, Janet. I love finding one room schools, and you found a beauty. The outhouse is a great addition.
It’s hard to believe you’ve been there a year already. I feel like I was just reading posts about your driving down for a visit. I’m glad you had a weekend to explore and enjoy. Thanks for taking us along.
The outhouse was quite modern-looking, I thought. Next time we’re in that area, I’ll see if we can get an appointment to see the inside and the museum.
In some ways, it feels as if we’ve been here forever but in others it’s hard to believe it’s been a year. Time is a weird thing.
I’d love to see the inside of the school house. I think I can imagine the inside of the outhouse 😉
🤭
Nicely doored. Just seeing somewhere new to me makes me feel invigorated. Your last square is cheerful, too. Great post
Glad I could cheer you up and invigorate you on this first day of April, Ally. And that’s no April Fool’s joke. 🙂
janet
what a great place to go and explore, love these old schoolhouses. Must have felt the changes in temperature though learning in these!
and wonderful bright square to connect with today for the first day of squares 😀
I imagine it was a bit chilly there in winter even with a stove. And the outhouse would have been both a chilly walk and wait. 😉
I loved the bright scene on the coffeehouse wall. Something nice to look at while you wait for your order. 😉
So glad I have never had to live with an outhouse!
I’ve used them in wilderness areas and they beat the alternative. The portable ones serve a purpose too but need to be well-cared for!
Yes that’s the only place I’ve used them too, and agree they need to be well-cared for. The organic ones always seem better
Cool find and how wonderful that you had a mini getaway/day trip with your hubby!
There are a couple of Strawberry towns in Calif. too. Must have been a popular name or theme back in the day.
He works so much that just him be off was great. But getting out keeps him off his laptop as well and he got a bike ride on before we left. Good day.
Little Stinker!!! Ha, good marketing!!!
I used the port-a-potty and the only stinker was the air freshener they had inside. Phew!
You are spot on with that one! In today’s world of science, you’d think a better freshener would exist.
True. And you can’t exactly leave the door open while you’re inside. At least I wouldn’t. 😂😂
Beautiful little schoolhouse and so well preserved. Isn’t the wooden outhouse so much prettier than the plastic one? Brilliant interior design on that cafe, between the caffeine and the colours the place must be buzzing.
This is so interesting. It reminds me of little house on the prairie.
It really does, Roberta. 🙂 That was a good show and I love the books as well.
janet
Nice shot of the outhouse!
🙂 Better from the outside, right?
Two challenges in one post is a good thing. Bright was definitely Bright! … Love the town names! … and the port-o-let was a good unexpected addition.
I was glad to see the port-a-potty for personal reasons but the schoolhouse and outhouse were fun to find.
love the schoolhouse doors! great finds, Janet 🙂
Thanks, Wilma. I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Handsome log cabins and accompanying doors. 🙂
Now to see the inside next time. 🙂
Well 🙂 we need the outhouse at our summer house as it does not have plumming, nothing new here. In the fall it is a bit nippy… 🙂
We have an outhouse near the Wyoming cabin but there’s a regular bathroom as well. The outhouse is now for emergencies (like a water problem) or after closing the cabin and shutting of the water. 🙂
Lucky you 😀, I can live with it as I don’t have to empty it, my husband does
Great slice of history, Janet, thank you!
Still laughing about Little Stinkers – Tinklers!
You might as well have a sense of humor about this sort of thing, right? Makes life less crappy. 🙂
No shittin’! Lololol!
Cute & nostalgic! 🌞
Probably 8 grades in that one building, too. 🙂
Excellent photos, Janet. I like the schoolhouse and its name. The last photo is quite bright 🙂
The town is called Strawberry and from what Peggy, who used to live here, tells me it’s called that for a reason. I’ll have to make sure we get back during strawberry season. 🙂