Home History About Us Open Projects Updates Donors Donate

Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse · Mount Vernon, WA

Preserving 135 Years
of Skagit Valley History

The Pleasant Ridge School House, built in 1891 and standing on Valentine Road, is one of the last surviving rural schoolhouses in Skagit County. Help us bring it back to life.

Support the Restoration Discover the History
1891
Year Built
135+
Years Standing
2
Original Classrooms
39
Years of Students
1st
Teacher's Certificate in Skagit County
Pleasant Ridge, 1920s
The Pleasant Ridge School House
The Pleasant Ridge School House
The Pleasant Ridge School House
The Pleasant Ridge School House

Our Mission

A Schoolhouse That Shaped a Community

Perched on the glacial promontory of Pleasant Ridge, overlooking the sweeping farmlands of the Skagit Valley, the Pleasant Ridge School House first welcomed children in 1891. For nearly four decades it was the educational and social heart of its community — a place of spelling bees, holiday pageants, and frontier learning.

Today, through the dedication of John and Toni Christianson and the Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse, this irreplaceable piece of Pacific Northwest heritage is being brought back to life — stone by stone, shake by shake.

"The opportunity to preserve one of the last remaining schoolhouses in Skagit County is something I've dreamed about for 35 years."
— John Christianson, Restoration Lead

Get Involved

Three Ways to Help

Make a Donation

Every dollar goes directly toward materials, skilled labor, and the preservation of this 135-year-old landmark. No donation is too small — together we can save this schoolhouse for the next generation.

Donate Now →

Volunteer Your Skills

Are you a contractor, craftsperson, or tradesperson willing to donate your time? We have open projects that need skilled hands — from roofing and masonry to carpentry and conservation.

View Open Projects →

Share Our Story

Have ancestors who attended Pleasant Ridge School? Know someone with memories of the ridge community? Sharing our story — and connecting us with former families — is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Follow on Facebook →

A Legacy of Preservation

Rooted in a Stewardship Tradition

John and Toni Christianson are the owners of Christianson's Nursery, a beloved institution in Mount Vernon celebrated for its English cottage gardens, rare plants, and deep love of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

John and Toni have already restored nine historic structures on the nursery grounds — including the Meadow School (1888), the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse in Northwest Washington. The Pleasant Ridge School is the next chapter in that lifetime legacy of stewardship.

Christianson's Nursery photo
Replace with your photo

Help Write the Next Chapter

A 2020 engineering report recommended demolition. The Christiansons refused. With your support, this schoolhouse will stand for another 135 years.

Donate Today

Our Heritage

A History of Pleasant Ridge

From the first pioneer settlers of 1863 to the schoolhouse standing today — 163 years of Skagit Valley life.

The Building

The Schoolhouse at a Glance

Built in 1891, the Pleasant Ridge School House is a two-room vernacular schoolhouse constructed on land donated by the Leamer family. Its stone foundation, cedar shingle roof, bell cupola, and original blackboard with surviving chalk make it one of the most intact surviving rural schoolhouses in the Pacific Northwest.

Located at 17597 Valentine Road, Mount Vernon, on a glacial promontory commanding sweeping views over Skagit Valley farmland — the same elevated ground that attracted the county's first settlers in 1863.

Pleasant Ridge, 1900s–1910s
Pleasant Ridge, 1920s
Class of 1927
Pleasant Ridge, 1970s
"We are relieved that someone like John, with his passion about historic preservation, has purchased the Pleasant Ridge School. We know it is in good hands."
— Jo Wolfe, Skagit County Historical Museum

The Story

Pioneers on the Ridge

Pleasant Ridge is a glacially deposited promontory rising above the flat Skagit River delta — an elevated sanctuary above seasonal floods that made it one of the most sought-after settlement sites in early Skagit County. The first Euro-American settlers, Samuel Calhoun and Michael Sullivan, arrived in 1863. By 1871, Sullivan's barley harvest from diked wetland sold for $1,600 at the river bank — a figure that electrified the region and brought a wave of homesteaders to the ridge.

The Leamer family arrived in the early 1870s, and with them came a fierce commitment to education. In July 1872 — just nine years after the first settlers — fifteen-year-old Ida Leamer opened the first school on the ridge in her family's home. She earned the first teacher's certificate ever issued within the present boundaries of Skagit County.

By 1891, the community had outgrown its log schoolhouse. The new two-room schoolhouse — the building standing today — was constructed on Leamer-donated land and opened with Mary E. Chilberg as its first teacher. For the next four decades it was the educational and social heart of Pleasant Ridge: spelling bees, debates, Christmas pageants, and community meetings all unfolded within its walls.

A Century of Survival

The school closed around 1929–1931 as the state's rural consolidation movement and the rise of motor bus routes made larger schools accessible to farm children. Mrs. Mabel Gansberg, its last teacher, left behind a blackboard that still bears faint chalk traces of the school's final lessons nearly a century later.

Preservation efforts have come and gone. The Pleasant Ridge School Association of the 1970s raised over $3,000 in donations but stalled when they couldn't secure ownership. The Cemetery District purchased the property in 2017, but a 2020 engineering study recommending demolition effectively ended their campaign. In 2025, John and Toni Christianson purchased the property — and the most serious restoration effort in the building's history began.

Architectural Character

What Makes This Building Special

Bell Cupola

The building's defining feature — an open-frame bell cupola at the roof peak, consistent with 1880s–1900s Washington schoolhouse design. Largely intact and restorable in place.

Stone Foundation

Original locally-sourced stone foundation, intact around the full perimeter. Historically significant and a priority for period-authentic repair.

The Blackboard

The original classroom blackboard still bears faint chalk writing from the school's final days, c. 1929–1931 — an extraordinary primary artifact being preserved in place.

Two-Room Plan

A two-room schoolhouse — larger than the typical one-room frontier school — reflecting the size and ambition of the Pleasant Ridge community it served.

Cedar Shingle Roof

Original cedar shingle roofing — now moss-covered and in need of replacement — with materials being sourced from period buildings including the Avon School gymnasium.

Frontispiece

A circular decorative element above the main entry on the front gable — possibly a clock face or school district emblem, adding architectural distinction to the building.

Key Dates

A Timeline of Pleasant Ridge

1863
First Settlers Arrive
Samuel Calhoun and Michael Sullivan establish the first Euro-American settlement at Pleasant Ridge — Skagit County's earliest known inland community.
July 1872
First School Opens
Fifteen-year-old Ida Leamer teaches the first class at her family's home, earning the first teacher's certificate ever issued in Skagit County.
Late 1870s
The Log Schoolhouse Era
A simple log schoolhouse is built with a stone fireplace and cedar-log benches. Teacher Kate Hinckley holds classes for the growing ridge community.
1891
The Present Building is Constructed
The two-room schoolhouse with stone foundation, cedar shingle roof, and bell cupola is built on Leamer-donated land. Mary E. Chilberg is its first teacher.
c. 1929–1931
School Closes
Students consolidate into the La Conner School District. Mrs. Mabel Gansberg is the last teacher. The blackboard preserves the chalk of its final lessons.
Late 1970s
First Preservation Effort
The Pleasant Ridge School Association raises $3,000–$3,500 and completes minor repairs, but stalls when it cannot secure property ownership.
2017
Cemetery District Acquires Property
The Pleasant Ridge Cemetery District purchases the school with preservation intent. A 2020 engineering study recommends demolition, halting the effort.
2025
Christianson Restoration Begins
John and Toni Christianson purchase the property and launch the most credibly resourced restoration in the building's history.

About Us

The People Behind the Project

A nonprofit led by people with deep roots in Skagit Valley heritage and a proven commitment to historic preservation.

Our Mission

Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse

We are a Washington State nonprofit dedicated to the full historic restoration of the Pleasant Ridge School House (1891) at 17597 Valentine Road, Mount Vernon. Our goal is to preserve this irreplaceable piece of Skagit County's educational and community heritage — and to open it as a living landmark for generations to come.

Our Team

The Restoration Leadership

Photo coming soon

John Christianson
Founder & Visionary

John is a passionate historian and preservationist who has personally restored nine historic structures at Christianson's Nursery, including the Meadow School (1888) — the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse in Northwest Washington. He has dreamed of restoring a Skagit County schoolhouse for over 35 years. When the Pleasant Ridge School came available, John refused to let it be lost — and his love of local history and deep belief in this building's future are the driving force behind the entire project.

Photo coming soon

Toni Christianson
Co-Founder

Toni Christianson is John's partner in life and in their shared legacy at Christianson's Nursery — one of Washington State's most celebrated destination gardens, renowned for its English cottage style and warm community welcome. Toni brings that same vision of beauty, heritage, and stewardship to the Pleasant Ridge restoration.

Photo coming soon

Brandon Koss
Restoration Director

Photo coming soon

Emma Christianson
Leadership

Board of Directors

Our Board

Photo coming soon

Brandon Koss
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Micky Bambrick
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Jason Benson
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Sara Jo Nuckols
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Lisette Roozen Mast
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Anne Bayse
Board Member

Photo coming soon

Lori Buher
Board Member

Our Partners

Working With the Community

The restoration is supported by key institutional partners in Skagit County heritage preservation.

Skagit County Historical Museum

Our primary historical research partner in La Conner. The museum holds archival materials related to Pleasant Ridge and has expressed full support for the restoration. The comprehensive historical report will be deposited in their collection.

Sturdy Engineering Corporation

Gary L. Sturdy, P.E. of Sturdy Engineering Corporation in Anacortes is providing all structural engineering services for the restoration — an invaluable in-kind contribution that ensures the building is assessed, designed, and repaired to the highest professional standard.

Nick Aitken · Stone Mason

Nick Aitken is a Professional Member of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and a Certified Master Craftsman specializing in traditional Scottish and Irish stone wall construction. Based in Seattle, WA, Nick is donating all of his labor to repair the schoolhouse's original 1891 stone foundation — bringing world-class historic masonry expertise to Skagit Valley.

Christianson's Nursery

The foundation of John and Toni's preservation legacy in Skagit County. The nursery's own Meadow School (1888) — fully restored — demonstrates exactly what a complete, authentic restoration of a Skagit County schoolhouse can achieve.

Restoration Projects

Open Projects: How to Help

This restoration is being built on donated expertise, materials, and labor. See what's in progress, what's open, and how your skills or business can make a difference.

Are you a contractor, tradesperson, or supplier?

Many of our open projects are fulfilled through donated professional time and materials. If you see a project you can help with — or want to be recognized as a restoration partner — please reach out directly.

Contact Us to Get Involved
● In Progress

Structural Engineering Report

A licensed structural engineer is actively assessing the 1891 schoolhouse to produce a formal report on the building's condition. The report will guide all major restoration decisions, including foundation repair priorities and load-bearing wall assessments.

StructuralEngineeringPlanning
● In Progress

Floor Removal

Later-era flooring materials are being carefully removed to expose and assess the original 1891 subfloor beneath. This work will determine the condition of surviving historic wood flooring and inform the interior restoration plan.

InteriorFlooringActive Work
● In Progress

Cedar Shingle Roof Replacement

The original cedar shingle roof is heavily moss-covered with visible structural sag. Replacement with period-authentic old-growth cedar shingles is the first and most critical exterior priority. Salvage materials from the Avon School gymnasium have been identified as a source. We are currently soliciting bids from qualified roofing contractors.

ExteriorRoofingSoliciting Bids
○ Open — Needs Help

Bell Cupola Restoration

The iconic open-frame bell cupola is the schoolhouse's most distinctive feature. Largely intact but requires skilled carpentry to fully restore. If the original bell survives, it will be preserved in place.

ExteriorCarpentrySkilled Trade
● In Progress

Stone Foundation Repair

The original stone foundation is substantially intact but has suffered weather deterioration. Repairs are underway using matching stone and traditional mortar techniques to maintain historic authenticity.

FoundationMasonryActive Work
● In Progress

Window Restoration

Work is underway to restore the schoolhouse windows. Historically appropriate double-hung wood-sash windows in a six-over-six divided-light configuration consistent with the 1891 building date are being sourced and assessed for installation.

ExteriorMillworkActive Work
○ Open — Needs Help

Cedar Shingles — Material Donation Needed

We are actively seeking anyone willing to donate cedar shingles for the roof replacement. If you have surplus materials, know a supplier, or can connect us with a source, please reach out — this is one of the most direct ways to support the restoration.

RoofingMaterialsDonation Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Front Deck Construction

The schoolhouse front entry requires a new deck to restore safe and proper access to the building. We are looking for contractors or skilled volunteers who can assist with design and construction of a period-appropriate front deck.

ExteriorCarpentryContractor Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Concrete Foundation Work

We are seeking qualified contractors to assist with a new concrete foundation that will be installed inside the existing stone perimeter, creating a modern load path while preserving the historic exterior masonry. If you specialize in foundation work and want to be part of this restoration, we'd love to hear from you.

FoundationStructuralContractor Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Scaffold Donation

Safe access to the exterior and upper portions of the schoolhouse requires scaffolding. We are looking for donated or loaned scaffold equipment to support upcoming roofing and siding work. Any amount of system scaffold is welcome and will go directly to active restoration efforts.

EquipmentSafetyDonation Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Temporary Flooring Installation

With floor removal underway, a temporary protective floor surface is needed to allow safe access for restoration crews while the subfloor is assessed and work continues. Volunteers or contractors with flooring experience are welcome to assist.

InteriorFlooringVolunteer Opportunity
○ Open — Needs Help

Fence Installation

The property needs fencing to secure the restoration site and protect the schoolhouse during active work. We are looking for contractors or volunteers to assist with planning and installation of appropriate perimeter fencing.

SiteSecurityContractor Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Exterior Board Siding Replacement

The original horizontal board siding is heavily weathered and requires replacement. Period-appropriate horizontal lap or drop siding is specified. Salvaged materials from historic-period buildings are strongly preferred.

ExteriorCarpentrySalvage Preferred
○ Open — Needs Help

Blackboard Conservation

The original classroom blackboard still bears chalk writing from the school's final days (c. 1929–1931). Careful stabilization and in-place preservation is required. Expertise in historic materials conservation is needed.

InteriorConservationSpecialist Needed
○ Open — Needs Help

Interior Trim & Finish Carpentry

Any surviving original trim, wainscoting, or built-in interior elements are to be preserved rather than replaced. Skilled finish carpentry needed to assess, repair, and restore period interior details.

InteriorFinish CarpentrySkilled Trade
● In Progress

Oral History Collection

Interviews with descendants of former students, teachers, and community members are actively being collected and recorded. Oral histories will be archived at the Skagit County Historical Museum. Additional interviewers and volunteers are still welcome.

CommunityArchiveActive Work
✓ Complete

Foundation Excavation

Excavation of the soil around the original 1891 stone foundation has been completed, fully exposing the masonry for inspection and repair assessment. This critical step revealed the extent of damage accumulated over more than a century.

FoundationStructuralCompleted June 2026
✓ Complete

Schoolhouse Initial Inspection

A full initial inspection of the schoolhouse has been completed, assessing the structural condition of the foundation, framing, roof, siding, windows, and interior. The inspection forms the basis for all restoration planning and prioritization going forward.

InspectionStructuralCompleted 2026

Don't See Your Skill Listed?

The restoration touches many disciplines — engineering, electrical, landscape, legal, event planning, and more. If you want to contribute in any way, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Us

News & Progress

Current Status & Updates

Follow the restoration as it unfolds — from the first work on the roof to the finishing touches on the interior.

Active Phase
Exterior Stabilization
Roof & Foundation Priority
Restoration Active Since
2026
Active Work Began
Building Status
Active Restoration
Work Underway
The schoolhouse
Spring 2025 — Project Launch

Restoration Begins Under New Ownership

John and Toni Christianson complete the purchase of the Pleasant Ridge School property, including the 1891 schoolhouse, two acres, a 1901 house, and a shop building. Initial work focuses on assessing the building's condition and beginning the process of stabilizing the structure after decades of deferred maintenance.

Removing plywood from windows
June 16, 2026 — Site Prep

Plywood Removed, Schoolhouse Opened for Work

The plywood boards covering the windows were removed, opening the schoolhouse up to light and air for the first time in years. This marks the beginning of active on-site preparation — clearing the way for structural inspection and the work phases ahead.

Gary Sturdy structural engineer site visit
June 17, 2026 — Engineering

Gary Sturdy Joins as Structural Engineer

Gary L. Sturdy, P.E. of Sturdy Engineering Corporation officially joined the project as the structural engineer of record. Gary brings deep expertise in historic structural assessment and will lead the engineering analysis of the 1891 schoolhouse — guiding foundation repair, load path design, and all structural restoration decisions going forward.

Foundation excavation
June 23, 2026 — Foundation Work

Foundation Excavation Underway

Excavation of the soil around the original stone foundation began this week, exposing the full extent of the 1891 masonry for the first time in decades. This critical step allows the team to assess what damage has accumulated over the years and determine what repairs are needed before the building can be fully stabilized.

Pressure washing the foundation
June 25, 2026 — Foundation Prep

Foundation Pressure Washed for Mortar Inspection

The exposed stone foundation was pressure washed to remove over a century of dirt, moss, and debris — preparing the surface for a detailed mortar inspection. Clean stone allows the team to accurately identify failed mortar joints, cracks, and areas requiring repointing before repair work begins.

Nick Aitken stone mason joins the team
July 9, 2026 — Stone Masonry

Nick Aitken Joins as Stone Mason, Donates All Labor

Nick Aitken, a Professional Member of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and Certified Master Craftsman, has joined the Pleasant Ridge restoration team and is donating all of his labor to repair the schoolhouse's original 1891 stone foundation. Nick specializes in traditional Scottish and Irish stone wall construction and brings rare, world-class masonry expertise that is nearly impossible to find in the Pacific Northwest — an extraordinary gift to this project and to Skagit Valley history.

More updates will be posted as work progresses. Follow our Facebook page for the latest news from the site.

Support the Restoration

Make a Donation

Your gift goes directly toward restoring one of Skagit County's last surviving rural schoolhouses. Every amount matters.

Why Your Gift Matters

What Your Donation Supports

The Pleasant Ridge School House has stood for 135 years. A 2020 engineering report recommended it be demolished. The Christiansons purchased it and refused to let that happen. Now, with your help, we're proving that this building can be saved — and that the Skagit Valley community cares about its heritage.

All funds raised by Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse go directly toward restoration materials, skilled labor, and the professional services needed to preserve this irreplaceable landmark.

Under $100

Community Supporter

Every gift counts. Community supporters are acknowledged by name on our Donors page as part of the community roll.

$100 – $1,999

Cornerstone Supporter

Earns an individual line of recognition on our Donors page with a personal note of thanks.

$2,000+

Pioneer Benefactor

Our highest tier of recognition — featured on the Donors page with an optional photo and personal description of your contribution.

"It will make a delightful place when it is fully restored."
— Joyce Johnson, Secretary, Pleasant Ridge School Association (1977)

Donate Now

All donations support the restoration of the 1891 schoolhouse at 17597 Valentine Road, Mount Vernon, Washington.

Secure online donation via PayPal

or

Make a check payable to:
Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse
Contact us for our mailing address

Email Us to Donate by Check

Friends of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse is a Washington State nonprofit. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your contribution.

About Our Donation Platform

We recommend starting with PayPal Giving Fund — zero fees for nonprofits, automated tax receipts for donors, and widely trusted. As we grow, we plan to add Donorbox for recurring monthly giving. Questions? Email us.

With Gratitude

Our Donors & Partners

This restoration is made possible by the generosity of individuals, businesses, and skilled professionals who believe in preserving Skagit Valley history.

In-Kind & Professional Services

Donated Labor & Expertise

Some of the most meaningful contributions to this project come not in the form of a check, but in the form of professional expertise donated freely. These individuals are giving their time, skill, and reputation to save a piece of history.

Photo optional

Gary Sturdy
Structural Engineering

Gary Sturdy is donating his complete structural engineering services to the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse restoration — an extraordinary professional contribution that forms the backbone of the entire project. His assessment and engineering guidance ensures the building is restored safely, soundly, and to code.

Photo coming soon

Nick Aitken
Stone Masonry · Foundation Repair

Nick Aitken is donating all of his labor to repair the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse's original 1891 stone foundation — one of the most critical and skilled phases of the entire restoration. A Professional Member of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and a Certified Master Craftsman, Instructor, and Examiner, Nick specializes in traditional Scottish and Irish stone wall construction and brings rare expertise in historic masonry that is nearly impossible to find in the Pacific Northwest.

Major Donors · $2,000 and above

Pioneer Benefactors

These generous supporters have made landmark contributions to the restoration. Their gifts fund entire project phases and will be permanently recognized in the schoolhouse.

Your name could be here

Become a Pioneer Benefactor
$2,000 or more

A gift of $2,000 or more earns permanent recognition here with an optional photo and personal note — your legacy tied to a 135-year-old landmark.

Restoration Supporters · $100 – $1,999

Cornerstone Supporters

Each of these supporters has made a meaningful individual contribution to the restoration effort. We are grateful for every gift.

Your Name Here
Donors in this tier will be listed individually as gifts are received.

Community Supporters

The Community Roll

Every gift matters. The following community members have contributed to the restoration of the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse.

Names will appear here as community donations are received

See Your Name on This Page

Join the growing community of supporters preserving one of Skagit County's last surviving rural schoolhouses.

Make a Donation