State heritage register adds Five Mile Schoolhouse

The state Office of Community Development recently announced that the Five Mile Schoolhouse, 8621 N. Five Mile Road, has been listed in the Washington Heritage Register.

This designation places the landmark with more than 1,500 other historic and culturally significant properties recognized for their unique contributions to Washington’s heritage.

The schoolhouse was built in 1939 in the heart of Five Mile Prairie. For many years it served not only as a school, but was the center of the neighborhood. Saturday night dances were held there during the Depression, along with card parties and other events.

In 1942, several smaller school districts were consolidated into the Mead School District, which administered the school until it closed in 1969.

For three years the building was leased to the Spokane County Parks Department for use as a community center. After that it was used for storage by the school district.

With the passage of Mead’s school bond last spring, the building will have new life. Approximately $1.7 million of the $37.7 million school bond will be used to convert the schoolhouse into a home for the Mead Education Partnership Program.

The program offers K-12 academic courses to home school students. The schoolhouse will give the program its own gym, water and plumbing and would double the class space, while preserving the historic site.

The property’s nomination has now been sent to the keeper of the national register in Washington, D.C., with a request that the property be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

COPS Northwest will hold annual picnic

COPS Northwest will hold its annual picnic Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Audubon Park.

The picnic offers an opportunity to learn about the benefits and advantages created by community policing.

COPS volunteers will be available to register bicycles, enroll children in the family ID program, and provide information about Block Watch and about how to protect the neighborhood from drug and nuisance houses.

There will be free hot dogs and soft drinks, and music by the Hillyard Belles.

Crestline Street project meeting

A public question-and-answer session regarding plans to widen North Crestline will be held next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the DSHS office at Francis and Crestline.

Maps of the area affected will be available, and Gary Nelson from the city of Spokane will answer questions. Nelson asks that you send your questions in advance to gnelson@spokanecity.org. The project is planned for next summer.

Meetings

• The Balboa/South Indian Trail Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Balboa Elementary School, 3010 W. Holyoke Ave.

• The Five Mile Prairie Neighborhood Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday at Five Mile Grange, Strong and Five Mile roads.