The Madeline Plains historically is not the easiest place to make a living.  Raising a family with children and to provide for their educational presents another challenge, whether yesteryear or today.

On the eastern Madeline Plains when the Moulton School District was abolished in 1898, it was succeeded by Cove School District.  It took several attempts to get the district established due to problems associated with the proposed boundaries. It was finally approved on April 4, 1901. The petition was signed by nine families who, on the average, resided 25 miles away from the nearest school—though M.L. Millsaps’ three children resided 45 miles from the nearest school, at the old Tuledad station next to the Nevada border. According to Madeline Plains historian, Don Garate, the residents built the first school on the west side of Cold Springs Creek.  The region experienced a record population growth with the influx of homesteaders and the school building needed to be enlarged and placed in a more central location. On October 16, 1908, the voters approved a $100 bond measure to build a new schoolhouse—the smallest bond measure ever to appear on a ballot in Lassen County. Just as quickly as the population increased, it dwindled.  The school closed in 1916, as there were only four students, one shy of minimum requirement of five.  The school never again opened its doors to students.  In 1918, it was annexed to Ravendale. On November 24, 1924, Elinor Coldren offered $25 for the Cove schoolhouse, but it was rejected.  In 1927, the Board of
Supervisors offered the schoolhouse for sale, but no bids were
received.

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