History and vision for the Future

History

  • 1906 — Arnegard founded, named for early settler Evan Arnegard.
  • 1913 — The town is officially incorporated when the Great Northern Railroad extends its line west from Watford City.
  • 1914 – 1915 — Construction and opening of Arnegard School, a one-storey, four-room schoolhouse teaching grades 1–12. Here is the earliest photo of the building we found, dating 1914 :

  • 1936 — A second storey and rear annex are added, with more classrooms, a library, gym, and principal’s office.
  • 1954 — The annex is replaced with a larger gym. The school’s teams — the Arnegard Spuds — earn fame statewide, winning the 1961 State Class C Boys’ Basketball Championship.

  • 1963 — The high school closes due to declining enrollment; elementary classes continue until 1976.
  • 1980s — The building closes as the second floor becomes unsafe.

  • 1998 — Local man Milton Hanson buys and renovates it, reopening as the Old School Bed & Breakfast — later featured on HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk” and Prairie Public TV’s “Old to New: Remodel, Restore, Revitalize.”
  • The school bell collapses and damage will not be repaired.
  • 2015 — Renovations began but had to be interrupted in 2017 against our will

  • Since then, the building is victim of break-ins and trespassing  

Here are different uses that can be for the school :

  • Offices
  • Appartments
  • Commercials
  • City Hall
  • Museum
  • Multipurpose community room & event hall
  • Educational / workshop classrooms
  • Meeting & gathering areas
  • Sport gymnasium