- At 10,400 ft., the Montezuma Schoolhouse is one of the highest school buildings in the US.
- Recent repairs to the structure make this school a great place to better understand the miners' family life.
- Originally built in 1884, the belfry, bell and entry hall were added later.
- Appointments for tours can be arranged at the Dillon Schoolhouse.
Overview
Booming mining towns often had a difficult time keeping pace with the rapid growth spurred by discovery of a profitable mine. Being no different than other mining towns, Montezuma's sudden population growth prompted the town to build this second schoolhouse in 1884.
Construction of the building was not completed during one continuous time period. After the initial construction, the belfry, bell and entry hall were added to complement the school's use as a site for protestant worship.
Extensive repairs were completed in 2008 and 2009 by a number of volunteers and support from the Colorado Historical Fund. These included replacing the front steps, reinforcing the foundation, painting and other general repairs.
Just as towns had difficulty with the boom, the bust was often more difficult to adapt to. Fortunately, Montezuma has taken an active role in preserving the mining heritage of the area. Inside the schoolhouse are a number of educational artifacts to help the visitors understand a part of life in the mountains during the gold rush era.
Location
The Montezuma Schoolhouse is located in town on the corner of Main and 4th St. The town of Montezuma is 6 miles east of Keystone, Colorado.
Hours/Seasons
Tours are by appointment only and can be arranged at the Dillon Schoolhouse.
(970) 468-2207
