Front view of the Sylvia School.
Douglas County History Research Center.
Taken June 2000

Sylvia School Sign.
Douglas County History Research Center
Taken June 2000.

Side view of the Sylvia School
Douglas County History Research Center.
Taken June 2000.

Interior of the Sylvia School.
Rear of the building was used as a teacherage. Douglas County History Research Center.
Taken June 2000.

.....Sylvia or Horse Creek School (District 21) is located on a ranch in western Douglas County that used to be a stage stop. The school opened in the late 1870's or early 1880's, since the school that was established by the county superintendent immediately before it (Pratt, District 20) was established in 1877, and the one immediately after it (East Cherry Creek, District 22) was established by 1887.
..... In 1942, Mrs. Ethel Fletcher was the teacher at the school, she had a special contract allowing her to pick up children and take them to school.

Click on the image above to see
Mrs. Fletcher's contract
with the school district.

.....It is not known when the school closed at Horse Creek. Local History has teacher's contracts dating from 1942-1944, so it must have closed after that time. Children were probably sent to first Westcreek then Woodland Park in El Paso County. The building has not been moved, and is on private property.