Site #16: Chellwood School (No. 2480)
Located on NE 28-45-4-W3, Chellwood School served as the heart of a predominantly English-speaking pocket of the Riverlands. Its founding is a classic example of the grassroots democracy that defined early Saskatchewan, where a few neighbors could transform a section of wild prairie into a center of learning.
An English Legacy
The school takes its name from the village of Chelwood in Somerset, England. This naming choice followed a common pattern among early settlers, who often named their new school districts after their places of origin. As noted in the Saskatchewan Archives Board memoirs, the district was officially established in 1909 following a decisive meeting of just four local homesteaders.
The School and Teacherage
In 1910, the school opened its doors to 20 students. Unlike the modern educational system, the early days of Chellwood relied on the teacherage—a small house provided for the teacher. According to Bridging the Years: Era of Blaine Lake and District 1790-1980, attracting a qualified teacher was one of the biggest challenges for rural districts. Providing a house was a significant draw, ensuring that the teacher could become a permanent, respected member of the local social fabric. The school operated for over 50 years, finally closing its doors in 1961.
A Community of Volunteers
Because Chellwood was located in a diverse region, the school often served as a linguistic and social bridge. As documented in Saskatchewan Department of Education records, the school board members were responsible for everything from hauling wood for the winter stove to organizing the “School Fair.” Today, the site remains a marker of that early 20th-century ambition, where the dream of a Somerset village was reborn in the fertile soil of the North Saskatchewan valley.