Schools

As early as 1860, education was taught to young children in Richmond. However, due to cost and the pioneering life, education was not at its fullest as it could have been. Maggie W. Thomson described Richmond's early schooling history:

"[In the fort,] Brother David P. Rainey taught the younger children and in the other end another Brother taught the older ones, the school was only conducted for a few months during the winter months.

"[After the fort,] I went to school when 7 years old to Orrin Wiser, who later became [Penina Langley].... Three months during summer, went to [Isabella Van Dyke Kerr] two summer -- [Mary Elizabeth Van Orden] and Phebe Ann Merrill a few months each as we only had school in spring and part of summer. Went to Brigham Pond one term and to Jobine S. Ferris then in 5th reader, who gave me a prize for the highest marks of anyone in school for perfect lesson. I went to a school on the square, adobe school house, Julie Robinson teacher. Met many older boy's and girl's whom I had known before. Then I was 11 years old. Next winter went to what was called High School, Hewey Gibson teacher. He taught me in adobe meeting house on spot where frame and brick meeting stood so many years."7

In 1852, the Utah Territorial Legislature established local school districts with a governing board of trustees. On October 12, 1872 during a Richmond City Council Meeting, "it was moved... that one man be elected from each division and one appointed by the city council to form a board of education." On November 16, 1872, the City Council divided up the land into four school districts/wards.1 A week later, School Trustees for each ward were created.2 On December 16, 1872, a tax was created for educational purposes.3

Due to a lack of buildings to hold classes, early church and government buildings were used. Known simply as the "Double-Log School", the building was a school, church meeting house, civic center, and social center as early as 1860. After the school wards were established, two schoolhouses were built to serve two different wards, while the Relief Society Hall and the Scandinavian Meeting House buildings served the other two wards.4

Every community in Cache County had its own schools and school districts. Due to this separation and confusion, some schools had high schools while others only went as high as the 5th grade. In March 1908, the Utah State Constitution required all separate city public schools to be consolidated into a single school district. This consolidation created the Cache County School District.5 6 After this, all school property was given to the School District.