blackfoot-valley

Saddle horses with genuine pride. Unlike the cattle, horses could easily take care of themselves in severe winter weather. The first school in the area was built, before Helmville was a town, in 1876 at the junction of Wales Creek Road leading to the Wales Ranch, a half- mile south of the Blackfoot River bridge and Coughlin Ranch buildings. It started with seven students including young Dave Coughlin and soon drew more from miles around. Many students rode horseback. The school’s sched- ule was unlike today’s with classes starting in April and finishing in late Sep- tember. The one-room Wales Creek School was built at a later time. “Percheron Horses, a Wales tradition” “Wales Homestead Barn, 1880s” 130