SILVANA — The old schoolhouse here and the quirky property it sits on, complete with a Wild West-style town in the back yard, is up for sale.
The asking price is $695,000.
The school was built around 1907, part of the Silvana School District that eventually was absorbed into the Arlington School District.
A larger, two-story school was constructed later. Lessons were moved there, and the older schoolhouse became a gymnasium.
The 1907 school outlasted its newer neighbor, which has been torn down. The building off Pioneer Highway — with white walls and a red roof — has been a private residence for at least two decades.
Michael Berg, 71, bought the school and property in 1997 for $80,000. He estimates he’s put upward of $400,000 into improvements. He lives there and uses it as an art studio, mainly for metal and bead work.
A European style fountain, multiple outbuildings and lawn sculptures dot the landscape of the old Silvana Schoolhouse. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The building has been raised on a foundation above the 100-year flood level. A new bell tower sits on top. A little white chapel, saloon, restrooms, changing rooms, clubhouse, fire pit, fountains and greenhouse are among the features out back. The large yard has been the site of weddings, family reunions and memorials.
A photo album shows the building two decades ago, a shell. It’s still not finished inside, but there is electricity, plumbing and telephone line, along with the new foundation, windows and other improvements.
The replica Old West town out back was purchased around 1998 from a man in Lake Stevens and moved to Silvana. Behind the yard, a field spreads out, and then there’s the Stillaguamish River. Trains sound their whistles as they rumble over nearby tracks.
The view from the back porch of old Silvana Schoolhouse (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Berg plans to move to Arizona, where he has family. He’d like to sell to someone who will improve and enjoy the property.
“I really love it,” he said. “I think whoever buys it will really love it, too.”
Molly Alumbaugh, a Realtor with the Windermere offices in Stanwood and Camano Island, said the property is definitely one of the more interesting ones she’s worked on.
The building is about 3,300 square feet, including unfinished areas. The property includes about two acres.
The Silvana School and its pupils in 1908. (Courtesy of Robin Monson Sather. Published in “Early Stillaguamish Valley Schools” by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society)
Most of the people Alumbaugh has heard from so far are interested in the schoolhouse and yard as an event venue, she said. They like its history and character.
“With rustic farmhouse and Western weddings all the rage, someone could really go to town with this,” she said.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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This story has been modified to correct the date the school was built, based on more authoritative information.
