Before public schools became common, education was often informal, held in one-room schoolhouses or even private homes. The Canary House, originally run by Miss Sallie Young, was one such school.

In the 1880s, Miss Sallie—daughter of Reverend Young, who helped establish Presbyterian College—opened her doors to Buffalo Gap’s youngest students.

She taught them their ABCs, arithmetic, and the basics of reading and writing, laying the foundation for their future education.

Unlike the larger schools that came later, her classroom was intimate, with only a handful of students at a time, many of them the children of Buffalo Gap’s first settlers.

Fun Fact: Miss Sallie called her tiny school “Canary College”, and the bright yellow paint on the house later inspired its modern name—the Canary House.

Miss Sallie was beloved in the community. Fellow teachers described her as an absolute example of unselfish service, always cheerful, happy, and known for her kindness to neighbors.

She continued to teach for decades before passing away in Tuscola, Texas, on August 1, 1920.

As Buffalo Gap grew and formal schools were built, the need for one-room classrooms like this faded.

Yet, the Canary House stands as a reminder of a time when education was personal, teachers knew every student, and learning took place anywhere it could.

Today, the Canary House is still a place of hospitality, though in a different way. It has been renovated into a charming Airbnb, where guests can still see parts of the original one-room footprint preserved inside.

The Canary House may be small, but its impact was huge. It continues to welcome visitors, just as it once welcomed eager young students.

Now, let’s head to a part of Buffalo Gap’s past that predates even the schools—the Buffalo Hunters.