Abandoned Schools in Washington State

Schools

These are samples of the types of photographs included in the Abandoned Washington State book. Many of these photographs have a fascinating story behind them, which you can read in the book.

The Govan schoolhouse

The Govan Schoolhouse was built in 1905 and was abandoned in 1942. As of 2019 there were only three people living in the little town of Govan, so it is on its way to becoming a ghost town. The schoolhouse used to be red. A fire destroyed most of the town in 1927 and the new State Highway 2, built in 1933, unfortunately bypassed the town, which contributed to its decline.

Abandoned schoolhouse in Govan, Washington

Photo credit: Lili Friedline

The Highland schoolhouse

Due to its remote location, the teacher of the Highland schoolhouse lived here in a “teacherage” room next to the classroom. In 1934, a teacher by the name of Marguerite Thompson ran the school. One night, while she was alone in the teacherage, somebody broke into the school. She was so scared that she locked herself in her room and resigned the next day, never to return.

Photo credit: Michael Hoerler

Inside the Highland Schoolhouse in Douglas County

Photo credit: Michael Hoerler

The Harder/McCall schoolhouse

The Harder/McCall Schoolhouse is located in the middle of nowhere in Adams County. It was originally built as a wayside stop on Mullan Road, which was the first wagon road to cross the Rocky Mountains from Montana into the Washington Territory. Mullan Road was built by the US Army in the 1860’s to connect Fort Benton with Fort Walla Walla.

The Washtucna school bus

This is the famous Washtucna School Bus, famous because it has its own Instagram hashtag, #thatNWbus. It was originally used by the Toppenish School District but is now owned by the Washtucna Historical Museum. Passersby on State Highway 26 can often find cans of spray paint on the steps inside, left there for anyone who wants to try their hand at graffiti, as Jazzmin demonstrates here.

The Moclips Junior-Senior High School

Not all abandoned schools are one-room schoolhouses in dry climate of eastern Washington. Located close to the Pacific Ocean on Washington's seacoast is the Moclips Junior-Senior High School, which might be the largest abandoned school in Washington State. In was built in 1950 and abandoned in 1990, being used for only 40 years. “I graduated from this school back in 1987 and it was falling apart back then. I am surprised that the building is still standing.” – anonymous former student

Photo credit: Charles Fleming

Inside the Moclips Junior-Senior High School