OUR HISTORY
In 1847 the John Mark family arrived in Oregon City, after crossing the plains by ox team via the Oregon Trail from Jackson County, Missouri. John Mark traded a yoke of oxen and either a wagon or a mare for 640 acres with a cabin on it. His eldest son, Alexander, over 21, but not married, could only claim 320 acres, which he did adjoining his father’s farm. His sisters and their husbands staked claims adjoining Alexander’s. Hence the name Mark Prairie.
In 1879, Alexander deeded the present two acres of land to school district #38, on which was to be constructed a building to be used for school and religious purposes. In 1893 Alexander and his brother Samuel deeded a right-of-way for a road from the south side of the property to Barlow Road, then called Market Road.
The present building, circa 1879, was built by the people of the community. The lumber was hauled from Cole’s sawmill, located on the south bank of the Molalla River, near the present Island Park.
In January 1946, the school district was consolidated with Canby district #86, and the building and grounds ceased to be used as a school. Rather than reclaim the property, the Mark heirs donated it to the community for community use. To manage the property, The Marks Prairie Community Club was organized on November 6, 1947.
Since that time the school site has served the needs of the community in providing a meeting place for family reunions, wedding receptions, Christmas and other parties, picnics, church groups, 4-H clubs, a mother’s club, Extension club, and monthly meetings of the Community Club.
In 1948 the remains of the Mark pioneers were relocated to the site, using the tombstone from the original Mark cemetery for the monument. The property was then named Mark Memorial Park by county officials.
When the building was used as the school it was only a single room. What is now the kitchen was a woodshed located about 50 feet to the southeast. In 1949 the woodshed was moved to the west end of the main building and became the kitchen
In 1979 the Community Club celebrated the 100th birthday of the district with a picnic held at the park. More than 100 persons signed the guest book. It was a wonderful day of visiting and meeting new friends. Unfortunately, the school bell could not be rung as it had been stolen.
In 1993 a major restoration was undertaken. A concrete foundation was placed under the building, and the building was straightened and strengthened.
In 1998-99 a well was drilled and a new cedar shingle roof was installed on the main building. The bell was also replaced.
In 2010, The Marks Prairie Community Club changed its name to Mark Prairie Historical Society.
In 2021, the Mark Prairie One Room Schoolhouse was severely damaged by an ice storm that hit the Canby area. Several of the historic oak trees on the property were uprooted and unfortunately, a couple of the trees fell on the roof of the schoolhouse causing extensive damage to the structure. A restoration project is currently underway.