LARKSPUR SCHOOL HISTORY

The original one room wood framed larkspur school, known as district 15 in the early years as it was a shared district with stone canyon school district 15, was a typical country school built around 1884 and located on the Carr lamb ranch southwest of larkspur.  later circa 1890 the school was moved on skids to the northeast corner of what was then called the village of larkspur and was adjacent to the Santa Fe depot and section house  (near the Arfsten residence today).  On April 1, 1896 a special meeting was held to consider the advisability of moving the school house but was decided to “make no change of site at present”.  Subsequently on may 27, 1896 larkspur voted to levy a 5 mill tax to build a new school house and on September 18, 1896 a basket social and dance was given to dedicate the new wood frame school house.   A cyclone destroyed the existing school on August 3, 1912.

Kids outside the original one room larkspur Schoolhouse Circa 1880s.

Later that year, William Phifer of the American Federation of Human Rights sold a tract of land east of the Santa Fe railroad tracts to school district 15 for the new larkspur school to be built. In 1913 the two room red brick building was completed at its present location. A larger room included a stage that served as an auditorium for school and community activities. The school was constructed neo-Georgian style with a hip roof, bell, front porch, white painted window trim and flared corner overhangs.

 In 1932 an addition was made to the school.

Girls on swings at the Larkspur School.  1934.  L to R: Beryl Hammond, Reva Smith, Theda Doud, ??, Josephine Garcilasco, Lucy Teniente.  Click on the photo for a larger view.

Keith Webster and Worthing Taylor (below) standing in front of  the Larkspur School Building, 1943-1944.  Courtesy of the Larkspur Historical Society.

Later in 1952, a rectangular addition was made in the back of the building for a gymnasium, restrooms, all purpose room, new lunchroom and enlargement of the kitchen and storage areas. The old lunchroom was then converted into a third classroom. 

  In 1960 the school had a bulging student population of 43 students.  During the 50’s and 60’s the school enrollment increased so much that a staff of three teachers were needed.  Larkspur school shared a principal with another school in castle rock.  In 1957 the Greenland school was closed and students had to go to castle rock as there was not enough room at the larkspur school.  

As the Perry Park and Greenland area grew in population in the late 1960’s it became necessary to replace the old building.  In the early 1970’s a modern facility was built west of larkspur off of Perry Park Avenue and later dedicated in 1972.

 In 1975 the original larkspur school was sold to Robert Dooken who ran a nut packaging plant in the building for a few years. Subsequently, the school has been used as a private residence, day care facility and in 2004 was purchased to become the new larkspur post office.

 In 1989 the town of larkspur held an option to purchase the school house. The town’s intent was to restore the building for a town hall and also use it for public activities with the area around the school as a town square focal point.  That project was later dropped.