White Cloud School District No. 4335
White Cloud School was built in 1929 on the SW corner of the SE ¼ 35-
46-6 W4. This was the property of Mr. Lee Babb, from whom it was
purchased for $75. The school was located 17 miles from Wainwright (9
miles north on Highway 41, 4 miles east, north 3-½ miles on a forced
road). Mr. Hans Sorenson, Jack Reid and Paul Paulson took on the contract
to build the school. Mrs. Bird Babb suggested the name White Cloud.
The first school board was composed of Mr. Lee Babb, Secretary- Treasurer, Mr. William Bisson and Mr. William Lavergne. Mr. Jack Reid was Secretary-Treasurer of the board from 1930-36.
The first teacher at White Cloud was Miss Bernice Johnson. Other teachers were Miss Potter, Mrs. Clem Baier, Mrs. Mae Tondu, Mr. Harbarson, Mrs. Winnie Alexander, Freda Arthur and Miss Phillips who was the last teacher. From 1929 – 1951 there were 17 teachers at White Cloud and 65 – 70 students attended school there. The teachers boarded at the Vern Treffry, Henry Tondu, or Jack Reid homes.
Early settlers to the area were Pilkingtons, Bill Myers, Tondus, Nichols, McClennons, Bissons, Lavergnes and George Babbs. Today Lester Babb and Clayton Tondu, two former students of White Cloud still reside in the district.
White Cloud School closed about 1951 and the children of the area were bussed into Wainwright as the district was under the jurisdiction of the Wainwright School Division. The school house and barn were purchased by Mr. John Roberts and moved to his property. The school house was converted into a garage. Today an oil well stands in the schoolyard.
White Cloud School District No. 4335
Submitted by Winnifred Alexander
65
Editor’ Note: Mrs. Myrna (Valleau) Christopherson wrote to us November 18, 2007, offering new information with regard to the above school. She writes:
“My mom, Emma Kinghorn (Mrs. Stan Valleau), was a teacher at White Cloud from fall of 1929 to spring 1932.”