Historic Fruita School
The historic, one-room Fruita School was built in 1896 when local settler Elijah Cutler Behunin donated land for its construction; the town was still known as Junction.
Plan Around Historic Fruita School
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Historic Fruita School Details
The historic, one-room Fruita School was built in 1896 when local settler Elijah Cutler Behunin donated land for its construction; the town was still known as Junction at the time. Behunin and the eight other families that lived in the area had been conducting classes at home before the school was completed, and his 12-year-old daughter, Nettie, was the first schoolteacher. Her first class had 22 students, three of whom were her siblings. The peaked, shingled roof that visitors see today was added in 1912 or 1913, and the interior walls were plastered in 1935. The desks were moveable so that the community could hold socials, dances, and church youth activities inside. In 1900, the building came under the jurisdiction of the Wayne County School District and held its first county-approved classes. Still the school's teacher, Nettie Behunin was by then 22 years old and received $70 per month, while male teachers received $80 per month. Class was held at the school until 1941, when it finally closed for lack of students. In 1964 the National Park Service nominated the building for the National Register of Historic Places, and then restored it to reflect its appearance in the 1930s. Today's visitors can peer in through the windows of the furnished building, located in the Fruita Historic District.
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Nearby Parks Around Historic Fruita School
Compare nearby parks around Historic Fruita School when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Historic Fruita School
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Historic Fruita School while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Amasa Pierce Orchard
The many orchards, including Amasa Pierce, that lie within a mile or two of the visitor center are remnants of the pioneer community of Fruita, which was settled in 1880.
0.1 mi away
Ripple Rock Nature Center
The Ripple Rock Nature Center, typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, offers families lots of hands-on activities to learn about the history and geology of Capitol Reef National Park.
0.1 mi away
Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail
The 4.6-mile one-way Fremont Gorge Overlook hike begins just under a mile down Scenic Drive from the visitor center.
0.1 mi away
Merin Smith Implement Shed (Blacksmith Shop)
The Merin Smith Implement Shed (Blacksmith Shop), constructed in 1925, is in the Fruita Historic District.
0.2 mi away
Chinese Wisteria
First planted by settlers in the early 1900s, the famed Chinese Wisteria vine is now in a "rehab" of sorts.
