Situated on the Palmer Divide at the intersection of Lorraine Road and Spring Valley Road near Larkspur, Colorado is the Spring Valley School.  Built in the late 1860's or early 1870's by Harrison Bucks, Jacob Geiger and Henry Gandy, all pioneers of the Spring Valley area, the school stands today virtually as it was 120 years ago. Dr. Robert Beadles and his wife, Mildred, purchased the structure in 1974 when it was in very bad condition.  They have completely restored the school building, barn, out house, and privy over a period of several years.  The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 in "recognition of this property's significant contribution to the heritage of the State of Colorado."  Today it is used as a weekend retreat for the Beadles.

The settlement of Spring Valley was settled after the civil war.  This small town was on the Cherokee Stage Route from Frankstown South to Colorado City. The town included the Geiger store which was directly behind the school.  The remains of a fort used by the settlement for protection against Indians lies Southeast of the school.  In addition a stage coach stop, dairy, cheese factory, and saw mill were included in the settlement.  Spring Valley also had a post office in 1865 which was run out of the Geiger store until 1885.

Many pioneers of Douglas County attended Spring Valley School and are buried nearby in the Spring Valley Cemetery. The school was used for a meeting place for various organizations and community events including the local Grange. School desks were moved back for square dances, weddings, funerals and voting. The school was closed in 1946 when the population of the area decreased.

To the many families whose lives were forever impacted by this rural one room school, it is a cherished memory.

Inside Spring Valley School 1894