> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.canbychronicle.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Whiskey Hill Store celebrates a century of history and community - URL: https://www.canbychronicle.com/whiskey-hill-store-celebrates-a-century-of-history-and-community/ - Published: 2026-09-01T08:00:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-01T08:00:31.000Z - Author: The Canby Chronicle *By Jules Rogers, The Canby Chronicle* For nearly a century, the Whiskey Hill Schoolhouse has stood as a gathering place for the community. Built in 1926 from local Douglas fir, the two-room schoolhouse served generations of rural students before being moved across the road in 1949 and transformed into the Whiskey Hill Store. Today, the restored landmark continues bringing people together as a café, market, and event space while preserving pieces of its past. Current owners Amy Lenhardt and her husband Darryl purchased the deteriorating property in 2019, spending more than three years restoring the historic building before reopening it in January 2023. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/80/8d/808d4196-9a70-43af-ad78-52b23e394d99/content/images/2026/08/The-original-Whiskey-Hill-School--built-in-1926-from-local-Douglas-fir--served-as-the-area-s-largest-two-room-schoolhouse-before-being-moved-across-Whiskey-Hill-Road-in-1949-and-converted-into-the-Whiskey-Hill-Store..jpeg) "When we bought it, it was basically a teardown," Lenhardt said. "We really see ourselves as stewards of this property. The building belongs to the community." The schoolhouse originally stood on the north side of what is now Whiskey Hill Road, across from its current location. It was the area's largest two-room schoolhouse, with grades 1-4 in the south classroom and grades 5-8 in the north until enrollment declined and all students shared a single classroom. Beloved teacher Loney Yoder taught generations of students there before later becoming principal at the newly constructed 91 School. His descendants still frequent the store, and one of his great-grandchildren now teaches at 91 School. Following the consolidation of five rural school districts after World War II, a new school opened in 1949\. The former Whiskey Hill School building was sold to Joel Fisher for $3 and moved across the street — chimneys and all — where it began its second life as a general store. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/80/8d/808d4196-9a70-43af-ad78-52b23e394d99/content/images/2026/08/First-day-of-school-at-Whiskey-Hill-School-photo-credit_-Whiskey-Hill-School-01-MMSL-Collection.jpeg) Early customers ran monthly tabs, gathered around a wood stove and snacked on peanuts, sweeping the shells into the fire when they were finished. Gas pumps were later added before being removed in the 1990s. The building has remained an owner-occupied business through eight owners throughout its time. During restoration, the Lenhardts uncovered remnants of the building's original history tucked behind walls. "We found the remains of the original chimneys hidden behind drywall," Lenhardt said. The couple carefully dismantled one chimney brick by brick before rebuilding it inside the dining room, preserving student graffiti left behind nearly a century ago. Lenhardt also discovered 11 historic schoolbooks hidden inside the walls. “I was removing the interior walls so we could re-wire, plumb, and insulate,” Lendhardt said. “I thought I had hit another two-by-four with the reciprocating saw, but it was a text book. I pulled it out, and they just kept dropping. It was a great find!” Today, the books are displayed alongside other artifacts donated by community members. "We tell people they aren't giving them to us — they're giving them to the community," Lenhardt said. "Our intention is that they always stay with the building." One mystery remains unsolved. Despite collecting photographs dating back to 1926, the owners have never found an interior photograph from the building's years as either a school or its early days as a store. "If there are community members who have photos tucked away, we'd love to make copies for display," Lenhardt said. The restoration also uncovered another piece of local history: a faded sign reading "Whiskey Hill Community Center," hidden beneath layers of paint. The sign dated back to 1949, when community members debated what to name the newly consolidated school. While the new campus ultimately became known as 91 School, the store's first owner painted the large sign to preserve the Whiskey Hill name. The Lenhardts restored it and now display it inside the dining room. Today, the store serves breakfast, lunch, and baked goods made with locally grown ingredients while hosting community dinners, markets, and seasonal celebrations. "Our vision was that this would be a community hub," Lenhardt said. "The community has shown up in an amazing way." The store plans to celebrate its centennial on Saturday, Sept. 12, with special menu items, free cake and ice cream at 1 p.m., and a presentation on the building's 100-year history. The Lenhardts hope former students and their families will attend — including Darryl's 95-year-old father, believed to be the oldest surviving student of the original Whiskey Hill School. As the store enters its second century, the owners say they remain focused on preserving both the building and the stories that have shaped it. "We're so thankful to our community," Lenhardt said. "It's much bigger than we ever imagined it would be, and we're honored to be a small part of its story.” **Whiskey Hill Store** **Where:** 5804 S. Whiskey Hill Rd., Hubbard **When:** Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. **Web:** [whiskeyhillstore.com](http://whiskeyhillstore.com/?ref=canbychronicle.com)