Hilton Gulch School

DO NOT OPEN THE PHONE BOX! THE CACHE IS NOT INSIDE THE BOX!!!

The tenth of a series of caches planned to be hidden at or near the historic rural schoolhouses of Routt County - beginning in West Routt during the summer of 2016!

HILTON GULCH SCHOOL – Hilton Gulch District #26 – Established in 1893 "Named for an early settler, the building was a white frame school built in 1921. The Routt County Republican claimed that some voters objected to a new school on grounds that it was just a larger dance hall. After the school was built, the name of the district was changed from Cow Creek to Hilton Gulch. Both Hilton Gulch and Cow Creek were major potato growing regions, and students earned money by gathering potato crops. The Hilton Gulch District consolidated with the Steamboat Springs District at the end of the 1954 term." (Windows to Yesterday; Routt County, Rural Schools 1883-1960, Leslie, 1998, p.60)

"Prior to it becoming a private residence, the school was significant to the social and cultural development of the area by serving as a gathering place for quilting guilds, spelling bees, concerts, political caucuses, box socials, church revivals, funerals, and weekend dances. One local resident recalls, "The music was portable and local. We took up a collection, put 25 cents in a hat and danced 'til two o'clock. And then, if we wanted to go dance all night, we took up another collection. We actually wore the floor out in the Hilton Gulch School. It actually fell in when people were square dancing." In addition to the school, the site originally contained a teacherage, a shed, and an outhouse. The building continues to serve as a visual reminder of the pioneer lifestyle and the focal position that it held for the area as it sits prominently at a crossroads, still retains its bell tower and original bell, and essentially retains its architectural integrity." -- http://www.co.routt.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/611/Hilton-Gulch-School?bidId=

The Hilton Gulch school house is located at 32400 CR 41 and is a residence that is painted red and white and has "Hilton Gulch School" in big white letters on the front. The cache is located across the road from the schoolhouse so as to not disturb the residence here.

Other Routt County School Houses in the Series: - with many more planned!

Foidel Creek Schoolhouse - RCSH#1

Dunckley School #1 - RCSH#2

Dunckley School #2 - RCSH#3

Dunckley School #3 - RCSH#4

Pleasant View School - RCSH#5

Dunstan School (RCSH#6) & Willow Creek Store

Southside School - RCSH#7

Fly Gulch School - RCSH #8

Cow Creek School - RCSH #9

Hilton Gulch School - RCSH#10

Sidney School - RCSH#11