Intermountain Indian School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Intermountain Indian School |
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A few vacant buildings at the Intermountain Indian School
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| Location | |
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84302
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| Coordinates | 41°29′28″N 112°00′37″W / 41.491047°N 112.0102233°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Native American boarding school |
| Established | 1949 |
| Closed | 1984 |
| Grades | Elementary through high school |
| Enrollment | 2,150 |
The Intermountain Indian School was a special kind of school for Native American children. It was located in Brigham City, Utah, and operated from 1950 to 1984. This school was part of a system of boarding schools that aimed to educate Native American youth.
Contents
A Look Back: The School's History
From Hospital to School: Early Days
Before it became a school, this site was home to the Bushnell Army Hospital. This hospital was very important during World War II, serving wounded soldiers from 1942 to 1946. The city of Brigham City gave the land to the U.S. government to help build this hospital. Many doctors, nurses, and military staff came to work there. At its busiest, about 6,000 people lived and worked at Bushnell. After the war ended in 1946, the hospital closed, and the buildings were empty for a while.
Opening the Intermountain Indian School
In 1948, there was a plan to turn the old hospital into a school for Native American children. President Harry Truman approved the money needed for this project in May 1949. The school officially opened in January 1950, welcoming 542 students. Over time, the school was allowed to enroll up to 2,150 students.
The school mainly served Navajo children from grades 1 to 12. These students were often bused all the way from Arizona. The school had its own medical center and even a printing press. The goal of the school was to help students learn new skills and adapt to a different way of life.
Growing and Changing Over Time
The school saw many students graduate over the years. In 1954, 24 students finished their studies, and by 1955, that number grew to 188. By 1981, more than 5,300 students had graduated from the school.
By the early 1970s, fewer students were enrolling. Many Native American families wanted their children to be educated closer to home. They also wanted more say in their children's education. Because of this, the school changed its focus. It started accepting students from nearly 100 different tribes, not just Navajo children. For the 1974-1975 school year, it was renamed the Intermountain Inter-Tribal School.
The school faced some challenges during this time. In 1971, a group of students filed a lawsuit. They had concerns about how the school was run and the quality of education. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.
The School's Closure
The Intermountain Indian School finally closed its doors in 1984. After the closure, Brigham City officials worked with the government to get the land back. The city promised to keep the 17 acres (69,000 m2) area along U.S. Route 91 as open space for recreation. The government then returned the land to the city.
Some important people were connected to the school. Allan Houser, a famous artist, was a faculty member. Two notable alumni, or former students, were Robert Chee and Robert Draper, both well-known painters.
The School Site Today
Today, the land where the school once stood has changed a lot. Brigham City turned some of the open land into a golf course. The city also sold off other parts of the property and items from the buildings to help pay for the golf course.
The old dormitories, where students used to live, have been turned into townhouses called "Eagle Village." Other former school buildings now house various businesses, like a furniture store, a consulting firm, a martial arts company, and several churches. For many years, some buildings were empty. However, in early 2013, these older buildings were torn down to make room for an expansion of the Brigham City campus of Utah State University.
Even though the school is closed, former students still gather. For the past 20 years, they have held an annual reunion. This reunion takes place in the third week of July at Wheatfields Lake, near Navajo, New Mexico.
