Bellingham Herald, October 22, 1928: LARGE HOME BURNS Fire Destroys Old Silver Beach School House The old Silver Beach schoolhouse, a twenty-two room structure which had been converted into a home, was completely destroyed by fire of unknown origin about 10:30 o'clock Saturday night [Oct. 20, 1928]. The building, which had not been used for a school since 1911, had served as an apartment house, old people's home, children's home and lastly as a residence. It was said that the owner, P.M. Bloom, took possession of the building about three weeks ago after having purchased it from the L.C. Short Realty Company. Mr. Short placed the value of the property, including reconstruction costs, at $14,000. The value of the contents of the building, which were practically entirely lost, was not learned, as Mr. Bloom could not be reached and had made no report to the fire department. Bloom, it was said, was away from the house when the fire started. Other members of the family are reported to have been in Vancouver, B.C. The blaze originated in the middle of the building and on the first floor, according to Mrs. F.S. Smithson, nearby resident, who turned in the alarm. By the time the firemen arrived the fire had gained such headway that it was impossible to check it. The only article saved was a kitchen range, which was in a room at the back of the building not reached by the fire for some time. Firemen were called to the scene of the fire again yesterday morning to extinguish a blaze which had started up again in the ruins."