March 25, 2026
A piece of Walla Walla Valley history is getting new life thanks to a strong partnership between local organizations and students in the Walla Walla Public Schools Career and Technical Education program. The district recently received a historic school bell from the former Blue Creek School on Mill Creek. District officials reached out to Walla Walla County Fire District 4 to see if they knew of a bell in the community that could be preserved and repurposed for student use.
District 4 Fire Chief John Golden, a longtime Walla Walla High School educator and coach, provided the solution the district had been hoping for with this project. The Blue Creek School bell has been part of the fire district’s history for decades. In August 1979, Walla Walla County Fire District 4 was officially deeded the site where the Blue Creek School once stood. By 1980, the district opened its first fire station up Mill Creek, now known as Station 45. The bell remained at the Mill Creek fire station for more than 40 years before the fire district offed it to the school district to give it a new home.
“Fire District 4 is excited to finally put this bell to use after it has sat in our station for more than 40 years,” said Chief Golden. “It’s a full-circle moment to see the bell go from one school back into our public schools. We’re proud to help keep its history alive.”
Blue Creek School was one of several small country schools that once served families in eastern Walla Walla County. Schools like Blue Creek were typically built in the late 1800s or early 1900s and operated as one-room schoolhouses for children from local ranching and farming families. Students attended through eighth grade before many continued their education in Walla Walla for high school.
Today, that piece of local history is being restored by students at SEATech.
Students in instructor James Polson’s Advanced Welding and Manufacturing program are carefully restoring the bell and preparing it for use at school athletic events. When the bell arrived, it was missing a striker, so students designed and fabricated a new one using steel available in the shop.
The project goes beyond restoration. Students are also designing and manufacturing a custom trailer so the bell can be safely and easily moved around Blue Devil Stadium by students during games and special events.
Community partners have played an important role in bringing the project to life. Tom’s Cycle donated balloon-style tires for the trailer, which will help carry the weight of the bell while protecting the stadium’s new track surface.
Once completed, the bell will be showcased at football games and other athletic contests at Blue Devil Stadium, adding a spirited and historic touch to the game-day experience for students and fans.
District leaders say the project highlights the power of community collaboration and hands-on learning.
“We are grateful to our partners at Walla Walla County Fire District 4 and Tom’s Cycle for helping make this project possible,” said Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan. “This is a great example of students applying their technical skills in a real-world project while preserving an important piece of local history.”
Thanks to the dedication of SEATech students and the support of community partners, the historic Blue Creek School bell will soon ring again, this time celebrating Blue Devil pride.
Cover Photo: Instructor James Polson with student Oliver Ma. Ma has taken a leadership role in the project.
