A bit about our building
Noel Thomas
This unassuming building has quietly watched the history Gearhart unfold before her for over a 117 years. The building has witnessed the halcyon years when old Gearhart downtown thrived with visiting families; hotels; carnivals; and County Fairs until a fire the wiped out downtown in the early 1900s. She's seen seen generations of kids growing up in Gearhart and originally acted as an additional classroom and gym for the old Gearhart School that was located on the Ridge Path. But in 1946, a Fuller Brush Man saw customer Mabel Keck painting a picture and said, “We need an art club here. How about you and I starting one?” So they did, and bought 'The Little Red Schoolhouse', with $1,000 from rummage sales (Cumtex, 2011). By 1950 around 50 artists were trying to meet at houses with classes in churches and anywhere they could find to offer them. This expanded group of artists purchased the building which was in disrepair and needed a lot of work. Trail's End Art Association was born, and the beginning of the loving care of the building by artists began and has continued for 70 years. The full history of the organization HERE
The Present
In 2015 the Trail's End Art Association began a 5 year renovation project that was complete in time for the organization's 70th Anniversary in 2020. The building has a solid foundation, a new back porch, is completed sided in weathering cedar. Instead of being the 'Little Red Schoolhouse' it now has red highlights such as the door facing downtown, the gable, corner boards, and front porch area. It also features retrofit windows to fit the original buildings window casings. The work was paid for by generous donations and grants from the Oregon Cultural Trust, Clatsop County Cultural Coalition, and the City of Gearhart. A campaign to complete the project with a new roof is in process to complete the weatherization for hopefully another 50 years. Donate Here if you'd like to help.
In 2015 the Trail's End Art Association began a 5 year renovation project that was complete in time for the organization's 70th Anniversary in 2020. The building has a solid foundation, a new back porch, is completed sided in weathering cedar. Instead of being the 'Little Red Schoolhouse' it now has red highlights such as the door facing downtown, the gable, corner boards, and front porch area. It also features retrofit windows to fit the original buildings window casings. The work was paid for by generous donations and grants from the Oregon Cultural Trust, Clatsop County Cultural Coalition, and the City of Gearhart. A campaign to complete the project with a new roof is in process to complete the weatherization for hopefully another 50 years. Donate Here if you'd like to help.