History

The railroad was the economic mainstay for Paradise residents for decades and it sustained the school. But as transportation changed, so did the town and the school.  Railroads merged, operations moved, and jobs became scarce.  The population diminished, and the student body became smaller and smaller.

The trends of the early years – growth, prosperity, and security – began to wane in the late 1900s. Changes beyond the control of the Paradise area and its residents began to take a toll. The Northern Pacific Railroad became part of the multi-line merger that created the Burlington Northern Railroad. Steam-powered train engines gave way to diesel, which altered the types of maintenance facilities and employees the railroads needed. Passenger trains were nationalized as the Congress created Amtrak and the railroad industry underwent sweeping national revision. Fire damage to railroad facilities in Paradise left damage that was never mitigated. Employment became elusive, the population diminished, and the Paradise School felt the impact.

A jump ahead nearly fifty years brings changes no one bargained for. For many years James J. Hill and other railroad executives had the desire to merge northern railroads together. Even through the decades of the ‘50s and ‘60s saw few major changes other than the replacement of steam power with diesel power. Consequently, the 20-stall roundhouse and its engine repair facility were no longer needed and they along with the Cliff House, a small hotel for the engine crews disappeared from the landscape. The Mercantile remained where John Hauge had built it, however the post office had its own building next door, and a candy bar was no longer a nickel.

March 2, 1970 became “the day that lives in infamy” in the hearts of many NP veterans when all things Northern Pacific became Burlington Northern. Not all change was bad—improvements were made to the Beanery and sanitary facilities were improved, the Maintenance of Way (MOW) crews were given two-way radios for better communication while working on the road.

In 1971 the Congress created Amtrak combining all rail passenger traffic nationally. Unfortunately, the old Northern Pacific route was destined to lose all passenger service which from then on was run by Amtrak on the old Great Northern route. Travel by rail was no longer convenient. Jobs began to be eliminated.

Changes came rapidly.

• The water system in Paradise was improved by adding chlorinating equipment.
• The section house was sold as the MOW was reorganized by BN. It was removed later in 1972. The Idaho Division caboose siding was removed and the ice house was eliminated.
• In 1973 telephone teletype sets were used as line control equipment, an automatic teletype printer.
  • That year the Hotel was sold and taken out of service.
  • Four car bodies, three bunkhouses, and five “local” houses were removed at the Tie Plant.
  • Paradise was eliminated as a railroad division point.
  • A section house was also retired from use.
  • The Beanery closed its doors in February and by November 1 the Hotel was torn down and the Beanery became MOW storage.
• In 1974 the existing sewer was abandoned and a drain field was installed.
• In 1976 a metal building was constructed at the Tie Plant and a 500-horsepower boiler was installed. A forklift was purchased in 1978 to handle the ties.
• In 1979 BN all passenger service on the old NP line ended.
• In 1980 BN petitioned the EPA to clean up the ‘creosote ditch’ at the Tie Plant. A groundwater study was done in ’81 and a lagoon was built at the Tie Plant. Two loaders were purchased and additional improvements were made.
• On October 27, 1982, during a maintenance time, the Tie Plant caught fire and burned.
• In 1983 the EPA and Montana DES requested a RCRA comprehensive permit for disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste. In town, the water tower next to the Ogle coal tower was torn down. The water system was turned over to the town.
• Dick Vinson, area rancher and sawmill operator, negotiated to rebuild the tie plant and retort and sell ties to BN.
• In 1984 BN pumped 500,000 gal. of creosote from the ‘creosote ditch, ‘(slough), for use at Somers Tie Plant. On March 29, the last ties left the plant and the last seven jobs were eliminated the next day.

In March 1985 BN submitted a comprehensive closure plan. In July they conducted a land treatment determination plot.

Big changes occurred beginning in 1987 when BN sold the old NP line from a junction near Billings to The Washington Corporations, owned by Dennis Washington. Montana Rail Link soon became known as one of the premier regional railroads in the nation.

• The disposal of the NP’s presence continued when the black water tank near the highway was removed in 1989.
• The Tie Plant Superfund site became part of an experiment to mitigate the presence of creosote through ‘land farming’ which simply was tilling the land, applying water, and letting nature take its course. This was done repeatedly and the method was found to be successful. Paradise citizens formed an ad hoc committee—Paradise Creosote Monitoring Committee. They were central in refusing to allow Paradise to become a ‘creosote dump’ when the tie plant at Somers decided to mitigate creosote at that site. The land cultivation lasted from the spring of 1989 for 10 years when the Montana DEQ declared it properly closed with monitoring to continue for thirty years until 2029.
• Landmarks continued to be removed. In 1996 the MOW moved from the Beanery building to the brick depot and the Beanery was demolished.
• During this time the population was reduced by two-thirds showing only a population of 85 in the last census and became more of a retirement community and the school struggled to stay open.

After a number of years, based on external changes, the population of Paradise diminished and there was a gradual decline in student population. Although local residents had always been supportive of paying the school levy, as the number of students became smaller and smaller, the Trustees found it harder and harder to justify the expense of the five-classroom building and its 60s-era gym. In 2013, the school was closed.

One contributing factor to the decline in population was the loss of employment opportunities as the railroad companies (Northern Pacific, Burlington Northern, and Montana Rail Link) gradually reduced their presence in the Paradise area. In addition, progress in modern transportation options began to lessen the importance of the railroad, and fires and accidents took a toll on railroad operations in Paradise. And a couple of small sawmills in Paradise closed and then a larger one, the Diehl Lumber Company in Plains moved operations to Idaho. No new, large employers moved in to replace those lost jobs.

For a number of years, due to an “open door” policy students from Paradise School District #8 and those from Plains School District #1 were allowed to attend the school of their choice. This policy helped the Paradise School maintain a viable student population. But by 2013, there were only 5 students, and the inevitability of closing the school became a reality.

The steadfast support of the Paradise community taxpayers was the mainstay in the longevity of the Paradise School. These local residents never refused a tax levy that was needed to keep the school open, ranging from support for maintenance/operations, salaries, even a new sewer system!

The State of Montana had a set of laws in place (20-6-209) that defined the process necessary to abandon a school district. So, in June 2013, the Paradise School Board took the first step and declared the Paradise School District #8 closed. The law required that the Trustees maintain the school for three years to assess whether demographics would change causing the school to be reactivated. They spent those three years waiting, hoping, and working to see the facility continue as part of the community. Demographics did not change.

The neighboring Plains School District #1 indicated they did not want the historic school, so the Trustees began to consider other options. In June 2016, the three-year waiting period ended. Between 2014 and 2016, the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee, a group of concerned Sanders County residents, formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the sole purpose of preserving the school and initiating adaptive reuse of the space and grounds as a community, visitor, and arts center. Based on the committee’s work and support of school Trustees, the Sanders County Commission accepted the deed to the school and leased it to the Preservation Committee for ongoing operations. A bright new star was on the western Montana horizon as the 100-plus year-old school received a new lease on life.

After a number of years, based on external changes, the population of Paradise diminished and there was a gradual decline in student population. Although local residents had always been supportive of paying the school levy, as the number of students became smaller and smaller, the Trustees found it harder and harder to justify the expense of the five-classroom building and its 60s-era gym. In 2013, the school was closed.

One contributing factor to the decline in population was the loss of employment opportunities as the railroad companies (Northern Pacific, Burlington Northern, and Montana Rail Link) gradually reduced their presence in the Paradise area. In addition, progress in modern transportation options began to lessen the importance of the railroad, and fires and accidents took a toll on railroad operations in Paradise. And a couple of small sawmills in Paradise closed and then a larger one, the Diehl Lumber Company in Plains moved operations to Idaho. No new, large employers moved in to replace those lost jobs.

For a number of years, due to an “open door” policy students from Paradise School District #8 and those from Plains School District #1 were allowed to attend the school of their choice. This policy helped the Paradise School maintain a viable student population. But by 2013, there were only 5 students, and the inevitability of closing the school became a reality.

The steadfast support of the Paradise community taxpayers was the mainstay in the longevity of the Paradise School. These local residents never refused a tax levy that was needed to keep the school open, ranging from support for maintenance/operations, salaries, even a new sewer system!

The State of Montana had a set of laws in place (20-6-209) that defined the process necessary to abandon a school district. So, in June 2013, the Paradise School Board took the first step and declared the Paradise School District #8 closed. The law required that the Trustees maintain the school for three years to assess whether demographics would change causing the school to be reactivated. They spent those three years waiting, hoping, and working to see the facility continue as part of the community. Demographics did not change.

The neighboring Plains School District #1 indicated they did not want the historic school, so the Trustees began to consider other options. In June 2016, the three-year waiting period ended. Between 2014 and 2016, the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee, a group of concerned Sanders County residents, formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the sole purpose of preserving the school and initiating adaptive reuse of the space and grounds as a community, visitor, and arts center. Based on the committee’s work and support of school Trustees, the Sanders County Commission accepted the deed to the school and leased it to the Preservation Committee for ongoing operations. A bright new star was on the western Montana horizon as the 100-plus year-old school received a new lease on life.

The heart of the Preservation Committee’s work is to save the historic school. But, to save it means using it. A 1910 building does not meet usage standards of today.  So, the challenge is to save the school, maintain the integrity of the building, and prepare it for contemporary use. Among the considerations are accessibility, upgrades to the existing building, and improvements to outdoor spaces.  Repurposing is a complex process and requires careful, orchestrated planning. It also requires community input.

The vision for repurposing began in late 2013 after the school closed in May. As with any similar project, the vision needed to combine different ideas and perspectives and yet represent a cohesive vision for the future. The vision for the Paradise Center was to continue in public hands and service to the public as a community, visitor, and arts center.

Before becoming responsible for the operation of the school, the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee, supported by the Sanders County Community Development Corporation, obtained grant funds from the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana History Foundation to commission a feasibility study to assess the physical condition of the buildings and the compatibility of the three purposes planned for the space – community, visitor, and arts centers. A team of architects and preservationists from Missoula led the feasibility study process. Major assistance came from the Community Design Center at Montana State University with input from the School of Business at the University of Montana.

The results of the study affirmed the Preservation Committee’s plans and work began on renovating the space in 2016. Community support came in the form of contributions for businesses and individuals as well as volunteer labor.

The main vision was to retain the historic building and site – ensure it was kept in prime condition, and prepare it for public use. The three purposes that arose from the December 2013 public meeting (a community, visitor, and arts center) would each need space, and some space would need to be shared – multipurpose.

The Preservation Committee believes the three proposed uses will be economically sustainable and will provide: educational, cultural, and economic advantages to the residents of Paradise; serve as a base for educational and cultural outreach to all of Sanders County; and entice many of the 3/4 million tourists annually, who now drive by on their way to Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park, to stop. When they do, they will learn about early explorers, Paradise’s rich railroad and timber history, the school and early 20^th Century public education, our neighboring Tribes, the ecology and development of the Flathead and Clark Fork rivers, Glacial Lake Missoula, and other nearby, unique geologic sites. Hopefully, we will interest them in spending “one more day” in the area, visiting often-overlooked cultural and recreational sites in northwestern Montana.

The Preservation Committee is saddened by the closing of the historic school, but sees it not as an end to the useful life of the building, but as an opportunity to revitalize it, re-boot the economy of Paradise, and contribute to the rest of Sanders County as well.  The Paradise Center will provide a stopping place for tourists, a place for the local community to gather and enjoy a variety of programs, and a hub for arts and culture.

The Preservation Committee’s vision has been supported by The Sanders County Commission, the Trustees of the former Paradise Elementary School, the Sanders County and Lake County Community Development Corporations, the Montana Department of Commerce and its Office of Tourism, the Montana History Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, the Jerry Metcalf Foundation, the Northern Pacific Historical Foundation, the Star Peak Foundation, and the very generous contributions of businesses and individuals.

As planning began for preserving and repurposing the former Paradise School, the Preservation Committee developed a prospectus, a printed document that describes the circumstances and vision for the future of the historic site. Much has changed since the prospectus was drafted, but it remains an important visionary document in the transition process.   As planning began for preserving and repurposing the former Paradise School, the Preservation Committee developed a prospectus, a printed document that describes the circumstances and vision for the future of the historic site. Part of the prospectus offers the history of the area, which is important to preservation, and part offers the possibilities for repurposing, which is important to gain the interest and support of organizations, businesses, and individuals. Much has changed since the prospectus was drafted, but it remains an important visionary document in the transition process.

Part of the Prospectus for the Paradise Center offers the history of the area, which is important for preservation, and part offers the possibilities for repurposing, which is important to gain the interest and support of organizations, businesses, and individuals.  Development of this document served to coalesce the various perspectives offered by the Sanders County community members interested in the historic school and to clarify how the three proposed uses – community, visitor, and arts center – could coexist at the site and complement one another.

Click Here to view the full Prospectus

Preparing the space for its new life involved ensuring it met required contemporary standards while protecting its historic condition. Some preparation efforts were as simple as applying new paint while others were more complex and required significant planning and funding. So, the process became iterative, generally focusing on one room or one project at a time. Preparing the space for the future involved projects both inside and outside the historic school building.

First, the committee needed to prepare the space for its new life in service to the public. The committee initiated a review of all items in the 1910 school building and the 1962 gymnasium and grounds to determine what had historic value and should be retained at the site.

Because the space was to be used by the public, the committee needed to ensure space was accessible for people with mobility challenges. Two main issues needed immediate attention – the restrooms in the multipurpose room (formerly the gym) and an access ramp to the main floor of the school building.

In 2016, work often involved clean up. Removing items that had no historic significance, were beyond repair, or were not suitable for reuse (through donation or sale). More than 100 years of service as a school resulted in the accumulation of many items and considerable debris. Among the hardest decisions were those that involved what to do with the vast number of books on site. Some were text books that were too out-of-date to be accepted by other schools. Others represented a time in history and needed to be preserved.

In 2017, with contributions from local businesses and individuals as well as volunteer labor for some of the work, the Preservation Committee achieved complete renovation of the two bathrooms in the multi-purpose room and construction of a ramp to provide access to the main floor of the historic school building. In addition, volunteers painted walls, constructed cabinetry and stage risers, built artist easels, and much more. The Committee began to install exhibits and work spaces for The Paradise Center’s new life.

The Paradise Center formally opens in the Spring of 2018, when initial exhibits are complete. But, it is already being used for an array of events, family gatherings, musical and dramatic performances, and classes on a variety of topics.

In addition to the accomplishments highlighted elsewhere on this website, future improvements will greatly enhance The Paradise Center and its usability.

a—Outside reception patio: Using native stone, we plan to construct a reception patio between the classroom building and gym to serve as the principal public access to the facility. The patio will have seating, shade, be close to handicapped parking spaces, and feature landscaping to create a welcoming environment for visitors. Long-term plans call for the patio to be enclosed by a foyer connecting the two buildings.

b—Access ramp: The multipurpose room (formerly the gym) complies with the American with Disabilities Act (the ADA), but the main classroom building, with steps, does not. We plan to construct a sidewalk from the parking area to the reception patio and from the patio to the front of the classroom building; the sidewalk will end in a ramp to provide access to the first floor of the school. Long-term plans call for an elevator to all three levels of the school.

c—Initial performing arts improvements: The primary use of the multipurpose room (formerly the gym) is for a broad range of performing arts activities. We plan to improve the space to render it usable for a wider variety of activities. Recent improvements include stage platforms and portable sound equipment. We will soon work on audience risers, electrical upgrades, a light board and lights. Long-term needs call for one or more cat-walks, storage, sound buffers, and a new floor.

d—Connecting building: WE plan to construct a connecting building that will serve as a common entry for both the historic school and the multipurpose room (formerly the gym). The connecting building will provide access to all floors of the school by an elevator that does not intrude on the historic structure.

e—Signage: Prior to the formal opening of the Paradise Center, we will need adequate signage in Paradise and on Highways 200 and 135 advertising the Center.

f—Initial work on amphitheater: Long-term plans call for a multi-level, ADA-accessible outdoor amphitheater for good weather performances and an integrated memorial honoring local veterans. We plan on initial contouring of the amphitheater, the installation of local rock for seating, and a concrete pad for a stage to allow basic use of the theater.

g—Parking lot and access road improvements: The county will undertake grading and chip seal improvements to the parking lot and access road.

h—HVAC maintenance and upgrades: Although the Paradise Elementary School Trustees installed a new heating and cooling system in the multipurpose room, the historic school building still depends on a fuel-oil boiler. We plan to upgrade the system, add cooling, and establish heating/cooling zones for efficiency.