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A School, Fire Hall, and the Pursuit of Happiness
In 1906, Camano City was the hub of a growing Island community, and a school was built. Today, over a 100 years later, we offer the Schoolhouse and the adjacent Fire Hall to continue building this Island community.
We have a deep commitment to gathering the Camano Island community for educational classes and activities that highlight Camano Island’s history and provide enriching, enlightening, and empowering information regarding all aspect of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Our vision is to enrich the lives of Camano Island residents and visitors with the experience of “old school style” educational and cultural activities in a Washington Heritage Register one-room schoolhouse, accentuated with historic exhibits of Camano Island.
Board of Directors
President: Chuck Durland
Vice President: Jeff Wheeler
Secretary: Debbie Moline
Treasurer: Debrorah Narcisso
Historian: Tami Douglass
Member-at-large: Barbara Brock
Member-at-large: Linda Bustin
Member-at-large: Curtis DeClue
Member-at-large:Jeffrey Shifs
A "Must-See" Destination
Camano Schoolhouse Foundation
In 2012, the Camano Schoolhouse Foundation was formed and purchased the Camano City Schoolhouse building from the Camano Island Fire District. The original property was split into two lots. Lot 1 contained the Fire Hall, and Lot 2 contained the Schoolhouse. As the Schoolhouse was gradually restored, use by the community grew. Major events filled the combined Schoolhouse and Fire Hall parking areas.
Heritage Register
There were lots of handshakes, smiling faces and photographers at a June 20, 2014 ceremony in La Conner, WA. There, the Governor’s Advisory Council of the WA Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, officially confirmed listing of the Historic 1906 Camano City Schoolhouse on the WA Heritage Register of Historic Places. In her presentation remarks, Allyson Brooks, PH.D, DAHP Director and State Historic Preservation Officer said, “The Camano City Schoolhouse is historically significant, as an intact example of an early, one-room schoolhouse, directly linked to the early educational system of WA state.”
This designation for the schoolhouse enhances its stature as a “must-see” destination for ever-growing numbers of ardent “heritage travel” fans.
In the photo, the then Camano Schoolhouse Foundation President Jim Turk (left) and Treasurer Chuck Durland (right) accept the Award from Susan White, a Citizen Member of the Heritage Advisoy Council.
Camano City Fire Hall
In late 2018, a historic opportunity arose when the Camano City Fire Hall went up for sale. Thanks to the incredible support of a generous donor, the Camano City Schoolhouse Foundation purchased the property, beautifully reuniting two pieces of our local heritage. Since then, the Schoolhouse Board and a passionate team of volunteers have combined forces—and resources—to breathe new life into the space, dedicating countless hours to repainting the building inside and out. The Fire Hall's iconic vehicle bays have opened up wonderful new possibilities for community gatherings, leading to the proud opening of the Fire Museum in September 2026.
Today, planning is underway for structural updates—including a new roof, improved parking, and landscaping—while we develop a comprehensive chronological history exhibit of Camano Island.