Fire destroys former boarding school on Coeur d'Alene Reservation

Friday, February 4, 2011  

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho is investigating a fire that destroyed an old boarding school on the reservation.

Crews responded to the blaze around 3am on Thursday. The three-story building was completely destroyed.

“This is a big loss,” Chairman Chief Allan told The Spokesman Review. “Part of our history is gone. The memories will always be with our people, but it is a sad day for the tribe.”

The Sisters of Charity of Providence school was on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1908, after two fires destroyed earlier schools at the site.

The school closed in 1974.

Get the Story:
Historic School Building Burns In DeSmet (KHQ 2/3)
Fire destroys former border school on CdA reservation (The Spokesman-Review 2/4)