During another one of my binges scanning google maps, I came across a promising looking little town in northern Minnesota. With a population barely reaching 144, there is nothing left of this little town but a few blocks of houses, a couple small town amenities and a large three story building at the very edge of town.
On a cold February day, we were greeted with a significantly different view when compared to our first visit the Spring prior. No longer shrouded in foliage, an entirely new view was presented. Shattered windows and boarded up doors provide a sharp contrast to the still sturdy brick walls and cement foundation.
With the back of the old schoolhouse completely open to the elements, we were fortunate enough to have full access through the boiler room to the stunning remains of this once expansive schoolhouse. Your first view upon entering the heart of the school is a large wooden staircase with faded and crackled blue stairs.
A few steps to your right takes you into an old classroom, filled with broken furniture and a deteriorating piano. The patterned tin wall coverings have spent years rusting and give the room an eerie orange glow.
The red and green bathroom holds it’s own unique beauty, with the original wood bathroom stalls and the vintage style toilet tanks.
Venturing up the deteriorating staircase provides a stunning view of the front windows. The dusty filled light illuminated the peeling paint and the exposed wood beams. The second and third floors also hold a treasure of old classrooms and walls full of broken windows.
As visible in all the pictures, the heart of the school was succumbing to extreme water damage and the rest was simply experiencing the cruel weathering of nature. It was still so heartbreaking to hear of it’s final demise this year. It will always remain one of my most beloved locations and a stunning example of the beauty in decay.