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The Schoolhouse has everything you need for an enjoyable event. | Photo by Erin Nelsen
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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.
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 8/9.
The present 1879 building 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 of this year, 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 its use. To manage the property, the Marks Prairie Community Club was organized and designated as a nonprofit 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.
The remains of the Mark pioneers were relocated to the site, creating a new monument using the headstones from the original Mark cemetery. 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/play shed located about 50 feet to the southeast. In 1949, it was moved to the west end of the main building and became the kitchen.
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. It has since been replaced and can be rung today!
A major restoration was undertaken. A concrete foundation was placed under the building, and the building was straightened and strengthened.
A well was drilled and a new cedar shingle roof was installed on the main building. The bell was also replaced.
The Marks Prairie Community Club changed its name to Mark Prairie Historical Society.
In February, the one-room Mark Prairie Schoolhouse was severely damaged by an ice storm that hit the Canby area. Two, 200 foot tall, 200 year old trees fell and crushed the 1940’s kitchen addition and the bathroom addition and the back wallof the historic schoolhouse. Later in the year, the crushed portion of building is demolished, remaining structure was shored up and tarped, and design work for the restoration began.
Exerior rebuilding begins
Building enclosed, exterior work completed.
Interior work begins. Finished interior electrical and plumbing, cabinetry, counters and blackboard; refinished the fir floors, added handrails to north porch, installed accessories, window shades and hardware
After four years of false starts, fundraising, and construction, the schoolhouse hosts a Grand Opening in May, 2025. In addition to an insurance settlement of $425,000, the community and nonprofit raised more than $600k in donations, grants, in-kind contribution and volunteer hours to restore the building to its original glory.
