Govan Schoolhouse, Wilbur, Washington

Govan is a ghost town in central Washington State. There are remnants of several buildings, most notably the old Govan Schoolhouse.

Govan once was a small farming community, large enough to boast a post office, school, two churches, and several businesses, and in 1909 listed a population of 114. However, a fire in 1927 devastated the business district, and many stores chose not to rebuild. The 1933 bypass of the town by Highway 2 hasted its demise, and the school closed in 1942. The post office and final business closed in 1967.

I discovered the place while searching online for abandoned buildings to use for night sky imaging.

Once I checked out the images I called the city hall of the nearest town, Wilbur, and asked if the building was still standing.

Assured it was still standing I waited for the next New Moon to make the 5 hour drive over for a photo shoot. Three intrepid photographers signed up for a Night Sky Photo Tour and together we descended upon the schoolhouse.

According to the web site Ghost Towns of Washington: Govan has been the scene of several unsolved murders.  Reported December 1902 as “The most brutal crime ever committed in the county.”  was the axe murder of Judge J.A. Lewis and his wife, Penelope.  The elderly Lewis kept sums of money about the house.  It was believed robbery was the motive.

Govan Schoolhouse, Wilbur, Washington was constructed in 1906. Despite the weather and strong winds the old slat and plaster walls have held the place together pretty well.

We arrived just before sunset and went inside to survey. I wanted to see about placing lights inside later, to make the place glow for the photo shoot.

Darkness finally arrived and I was in and out, adjusting lanterns, between circumnavigating the building with my camera.

I used a Canon 6D with a Rokinon 14mm lens. The shutter speed was 30 seconds, aperture at 2.8 and the ISO was between 2500 and 500. Editing with Photoshop CS6.

Here are the pics!