The historic Buford School will be the location for the annual White River Community Association Fish Fry on June 15, complete with a quilt raffle and a dance with live entertainment.
MEEKER | The Buford School located at 40905 County Road 17 just south of Buford on the
Buford/New Castle route is a historic landmark that began as a two-story structure located near the mouth of the Big Beaver Basin.
The ground floor was used as a classroom and the second floor for social gatherings. Around 1902 the school was damaged in a flood. Materials from the building were reused to build and relocate the school to the current one-story structure. The school reopened in 1902 and continued until 1952 when it closed for lack of students.
The Buford School was located on property owned by the Bar Bell Ranch. Minnewa BellRoosevelt donated the school to the White River Community in 1953 in memory of her father, Alphonzo Bell. Ms. Bell also donated extensive renovations to modernize the building. The surrounding community and members of the Bell/Roosevelt family, which included first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, attended the dedication ceremony.
The Buford School became a community center actively used for dances, meetings and other social gatherings.
In 1961, the White River Community Association (WRCA) was formally organized and in 1970 the WRCA quit-claimed the school. In 2008 the school was completely renovated and restored to its original 1950s condition thanks to a grant from the Colorado State Historical Society and generous residents of the White River Valley. Today, the Buford school is currently supported by efforts of WRCA members through volunteer contributions and various fundraiser efforts.
The WRCA invites the White River Valley community to join as members ($40 family, $20 individual) and help support the unique heritage of this historic building.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 15, 2024, to enjoy this historic schoolhouse with a quilt raffle, excellent food and a dance with live entertainment.
Special to the HT
