The Old Red Schoolhouse (2) Markers

Alpine spelled the date into the wall. Above the arched entrance of the red-brick school raised here between 1899 and 1901, the masons set the words "18 Alpine Public School 99," splitting the year across the name. The building cost $3,789.12 — the town had bought the lot back in 1882 for five dollars — and its four big rooms rose from adobes L.L. Clark molded and Provo brick hauled in at six dollars a thousand. Red sandstone steps climbed to the door; a bell hung in the belfry to call the valley's children in.

What the plaque says

Construction on the old red schoolhouse started in the spring of 1899 and was completed in 1901 at a cost of $3,789.12. In 1882 school trustees petitioned Alpine City to purchase the land to build the schoolhouse and paid $5.00 for it. Sand for mortar came from Whitby’s sand pit; L.L. Clark made adobes; and Fred Clark hauled them to the site. Brick was purchased in Provo for $6.00 per thousand, delivered. The 30 ft. by 60 ft. redbrick building had four large rooms, two on the ground floor and two on the top floor. A stairway with oak banister, was on the south side. In the southwest corner upstairs was an office. A coal furnace provided steam heat. These words, “18 Alpine Public School 99″, were inscribed on the wall above the arch entrance. The outside front steps were of red sandstone with a cement apron. A large bell in the belfry rang at 8:30 signaling school would start in thirty minutes. October 23, 1899, this schoolhouse opened. Mary (May) E. Whitby was the first teacher and taught four classes with a total of sixty-four pupils. When eight grades were formed with two grades in each room, one teacher taught both grades. Pupils sat at old-fashioned desks. In the 1930's the seventh and eighth grades were bussed to American Fork. Later a kindergarten class was started. April 22, 1968, a wrecking crew started to demolish this historical landmark. The Alpine gymnasium was built in 1923-24 about twenty feet east of the old schoolhouse, costing $13,767.00. School lunches were served on its stage. Over the years the community enjoyed school, athletic, cultural and social events. These buildings hold cherished memories for many generations of Alpiners.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Timpanogos Cave National Monument — 3.6 mi
  Three spectacularly decorated caves connected by hand-carved tunnels
• Lehi Roller Mills — 6.0 mi
  The flour mill from the movie Footloose
• Alpine Loop Summit — 8.6 mi
  The 8,000-foot high point of the Alpine Loop, face to face with Mount Timpanogos
• Aspen Grove — 9.6 mi
  The mountain-base trailhead for Mount Timpanogos and Stewart Falls

More markers nearby

• Alpine Cemetery Veterans Memorial — steps away
• Alpine — steps away
• Alpine Pioneer Relic Hall — steps away
• Alpine City Hall — 0.2 mi