CHAPTER XVIII

 

Early Martinez Schools:

 

              The first school in Martinez, in the early part of 1850, was taught by Beverly R. Holliday. Holliday had his first experience in school-teaching in Illinois, at the early age of fifteen years. After coming to Martinez, he passed an examination and was declared qualified to teach. His school at first consisted of five or six pupils from two or three families. These pupils gathered in the Blossom House, later known as the Gift House, near Thomas Hill, at the entrance of Bay View Park. During the two terms that Holliday taught the number of pupils increased from six to twenty-six.

               In the fall of 1850 Holliday was succeeded by M. Laughlin. In 1851 Mrs. Rice was the teacher in an old house, and there were about thirteen pupils. Hinckley was the next teacher; he taught a three-month term in 1852, in a house which stood on Mills street near Main, used in after years for a Chinese laundry. Six or seven pupils attended this school. In 1853 Moore taught in a small brick building near the corner of Main and Ferry streets. He had only a few pupils and did not teach long. Later in 1853 Mrs. Phoebe R. Alley taught in a house owned by C. C. Swain. She lived upstairs and used her kitchen as a school-room. Rough seats were made and a curtain drawn to hide the kitchen stove. The sessions lasted from 9 to 12 and from 1 to 4. Between sessions the school-room was again used for a kitchen. It was during Mrs. Alley's term as teacher that the school first received aid from the State. Before beginning to teach she was examined by the board of trustees. The scholars studied whatever they liked best. School-books were of varied assortments, each pupil bringing a different book, as there was no law providing for the uniformity of text-books. Hiram Mills was the next teacher. He taught a six-month term in 1854, in a brick building on Ferry Steet. The pupils varied their exercises with recitations, original essays, and songs.

               In 1854 the Rev. Mr. Sanbourne had a school in a small house that was a part of Mrs. Henry Hale's dwelling, but afterward in a building situated on Main Street, near the site of the Blum block. This school was an ambitious one, and its friends offered prizes to those who had the highest standing. The girls received most of the prizes, and sometimes two and three prized each. A debating society and spelling-school frequently held forth in the evening. These "spelling downs" were attended by old and young alike, and doctors and lawyers would try their skill against the others. J. Vandermark, the first superintendent of schools in this county, held office during this year.

                In 1856, Doctor Holmes taught in a double house; besides doing service as a schoolhouse, it was used as a church, courthouse, and Masonic lodge hall. Later in 1856 Miss Gregory, a graduate of Oberlin College, taught in this building. This was considered a fine school of thirty-three pupils. Miss Charlotte Worth was assistant. In 1857 Miss Gregory was succeeded by Miss Jane Lyon. Twenty pupils were taking high school work, and there were twelve primary scholars, besides the intermediate grades. The building was too small for such a school, and Miss Lyon had to teach the primary classes at noon while eating her lunch. Her time was fully occupied from eight in the morning till late in the evening. She labored under difficulties through lack of books and apparatus, supplying much of the equipment herself. During the winter a stove was borrowed and fuel was furnished by the pupils. The stovepipe consisted of three lengths of different sizes, which teacher and pupils put together with mortar and wire. Just as two visitors entered the school, down came the stove-pipe. Miss Lyon stated to her guests that the school was not in order just then, but if they would kindly step out and take a view of the hills she would soon be ready to receive them. In the early part of 1858 Miss Lyon accepted a position in the Sacramento schools, and Miss Eliza May remained during two terms, and also took an active part in the social life of Martinez. S. H. Bushnell was next employed, coming in September, 1858. One of his pupils relates an incident that was typical of the time: Two boys were to be punished, and were sent out to cut a switch. They went to the creek, cut a fine green poison-oak switch, and brought it in to the teacher. The boys had a vacation lasting two weeks, while the teacher nursed a bad case of poison-oak. The pupils

numbered forty-eight, too large an attendance for so small a building. In 1860 the school was removed to the lower floor of the Masonic Hall. Bushnell continued teaching for  two years in this building. In May, 1873, a two-story schoolhouse of four rooms was erected. D. T. Fowler was the last teacher in the Masonic Hall and the first in the new building. He was assisted in the new building by his wife and Miss Conners. As the public funds permitted only an eight-month school, the ladies formed an Educational Aid Society, of which Mrs. Alley was president. Money was raised by entertainments and private subscription to pay the teachers for two months more, so that a ten-month school could be maintained. The society also purchased school-desks, bought a piano, and laid a two-plank sidewalk from Main Street to the schoolhouse.

               About 1888 a law was passed which provided for a two-year high-school course in the public schools. Miss Clara K. Wittenmyer was then principal of the Martinez grammar school. Under this law she established a class, at first teaching both grammar and high-school classes herself. Later Miss Bertola taught the graduating class of the grammar school and Miss Wittenmyer taught the high school.

              Some members of the class who were preparing to teach carried twenty-two subjects. Two classes were graduated, and the work was praised by the University of California examiners. This was the beginning of high-school work in Contra Costa County. As the law proved defective, the work was discontinued. A few years later a private high school was maintained under the direction of E. Stoddard, and continued until a law providing for a union high school was passed.

               With the addition of two rooms in 1890, this building provided for the educational needs of the community until 1907, when a building of modern type, containing nine class-rooms and a large auditorium, was erected on the same site.

               The growth of the school was gradual until 1915, then, by converting assembly hall and play-room into class-rooms, besides erecting temporary buildings, the increase in attendance was taken care of. In July, 1916, a $52,000 bond was voted for the erection of a new building to face the present structure, but separated from it by a town park which had been turned over by the authorities to the school trustees for the use of the children.

                The growth of the school is shown by an increase in attendance of two hundred in 1906 to six hundred in 1916.

                In 1901 the Alhambra Union High School, composed of Martinez, Vine Hill, Franklin, Alhambra, and Briones districts, was established in Martinez.

 

                The growth of the school system of Pittsburg is one of the most remarkable and interesting bits of history in the annals of our county. The splendid schools now existing in this thriving industrial center had their beginning when a small dwelling-house was moved bodily from Nortonville on a flat-car and deposited upon a lot which had been secured only by the pardonable subterfuge of representing that a livery stable was to be erected upon it.

                The little dwelling soon proved inadequate and was sold to Charles Wilson, and, with additions, is still used by him as a residence. The electors erected what was considered at the time a large schoolhouse, the old brick school that still stands and renders service as a schoolroom. This also was outgrown and was supplemented by two wooden one-room buildings, which served until 1905, when the people erected a $20,000 modern building.

                It was only a short time, however, that children overflowed from this new building into the "old brick school," and it was necessary to rent several buildings from private owners and to construct temporary quarters. To relieve this situation, the people erected a building which, when completed, will cost from $85,000 to $90,000, and from present indications the growth will be such as to necessitate further equipment within a very few years.

                A comparison of the first official statistics of 1875 and those of today will show clearly the growth of this school:

 

                                                                                       1875                       1917

          Number of children attending school .......................     39                           850

          Salary of teachers for one year        ........................(1)$750.00         (24)$21,931.92

          Cash paid for rents, contingent expenses, ...............     316.85                36,074.49

                       and building repairs

          Total expenditures       ...........................................   1,066.85               58,006.41

          Total receipts from state and  .................................      203.72               29,026.00

                      county funds

          Total amount received from    ..................................     108.63               10,425.80

                      miscellaneous sources

          Total receipts for year    .........................................     312.35                39,451.80

 

Eastern Contra Costa County

 

                It is a noteworthy and highly creditable fact that the early settlers of eastern Contra Costa County generally considered the school as an institution of primary importance. The foundations of their schoolhouses were laid contemporaneous with, and in some instances before, their places of worship.

               Usually the start was made by voluntary contributions of materials - labor or money for their construction - and the buildings were cheap or of a temporary nature that later were found inadequate, and gave place to the larger, more commodious, and ornamental structures that now adorn every considerable center of population.

               It will be recalled that the first settlements were made along the water-front, skirting the margin of the delta, scattering and not contiguous, and a trudge of two or three miles by the pupil to reach the schoolhouse was not unusual; but as the population increased the distance lessened, until there are a few localities left where the distance is more than a pleasant morning stroll from home to the schoolhouse door.

              Antioch being the oldest community was the first to erect a school-house and lay the foundation of a schooling with all the best traditions of its State of Maine progenitors. Captain Kimball and Parson Smith brought with them from their New England homes to the new and unpeopled land the spirit and exhalted hopes that characterized their Pilgrim ancestry - the little red schoolhouse and the church spire were the symbols of their faith in the progress of humanity, and they made haste to build them deep into the super-structure if the social fabric of the new empire that they came here to aid in constructing; hence the schoolhouse came early to the front, continuing thus until it culminated in the splendid high-school edifice that graces a conspicuous prominence.

                 The gathering population in the vicinity of the Iron House (that derives from its name from the odd conceit of one of its early settlers, who, for the lack of other material, weather-boarded his cabin with scraps of sheet iron and tin cut from discarded oil-cans) created the necessity for a school-building, and in 1868 one was erected. The site chosen was on the north side of the road just east of Marsh Creek, near the Santa Fe Railroad crossing. Later the building was removed to its present site, and in 1896 it was replaced with a new and artistically designed structure. The area of the Iron House district formerly embraced all of the territory between Antioch district and Eden Plain, including the Jersey Island and Sand Mound tracts of the delta. In 1885 or 1886 these tracts were segregated from it and the Sand Mound district organized. A small schoolhouse was erected on the north  side of Taylor Slough and a school maintained there for several years, but later abandoned.

               The first movement to establish a school in the Eden Plain country was made in the summer of 1868. This school building was erected by voluntary subscription of labor and material on the premises of John Pierce, and a school maintained there for months before the district was permanently organized. Here it remained for some thirty-eight years, when a new site was purchased on the northeast corner of section 5 and the present structure erected. The building is large and ornamental, monumental of the progressive spirit of Knightsen and vicinity. As a historical item, we note in passing that it was at Eden Plain the first Methodist Episcopal Church was erected. It was a small steepleless building, and stood on the southeast corner of section 5. It was nearly opposite the schoolhouse, and was built in 1868. Later it was removed to the town of Brentwood, occupied for service there for a while, then sold and used for a lodge-room, later as a private residence, and finally destroyed by fire in the conflagration of 1915.

                The influx of settlers into the Point of Timber section in the latter '60's resulted in the organization of the Excelsior School District and the location of the school building on the southeast corner of the Netherton quarter. The style of construction and the lack of facilities ultimately resulted in its demolition and the construction of a unique and pleasing structure in the Mission style of architecture, in keeping with the rich agricultural surroundings.

                The completion of the railroad in 1878, and the establishment of a station at that point, brought the town of Byron into existence and a cluster of population that was soon followed by the building of a schoolhouse and church that seemingly go hand in hand. But several years ago that enterprising town outgrew the primitive schoolhouse and built a beautiful and creditable building that is representative of the progressive spirit of its citizens.

                As the county settled and the population grew, a school became a necessity not long to be ignored in the county south of Byron; willing hands came readily to assist, and a small, though convenient, building was erected that accommodates that sparsely settled  locality. The Hot Springs District, reaching to the county line, will not be long content with the miniature pattern of "the little red schoolhouse" of our boyhood days, but in the larger future that is opening up in the construction of its irrigation system there will come a demand for the accommodation of a rapidly growing population, whose interests, following in the line of its pioneers, will be centered in its schools.

               The organization of the Vasco Grant District and the building of a school in that sparsely settled region is an apt illustration of the desires of all classes to avail themselves of the advantages afforded by our primary schools. As early as 1869 the Deer Valley people organized a school district and erected a schoolhouse on the farm of W. C. Haney, which was later removed to the Stockton ranch, a mile and a half to the northeast, to accommodate the near-by children of the coal miners. Here after a time the old building was disposed of and a new building erected on its present site, just behind the hill from its original location.

                The writer is not in possession of the date of the organization of the Lone Tree District (named from and presumably in honor of the lone oak-tree that stands near - a solitary sentinel of the valley that seems strangely out of place in treeless and shrubless surroundings). A new and handsome school building occupies the site of the original structure, indicative of the intelligent interest that the patrons manifest in school matters.

                The last of thirteen districts, but by no means the least in growing importance, is the Live Oak District, established to accommodate the population of what is known as the "sand country" and comprising the thriving and growing village of Oakley. The schoolhouse is located on the south side of the main thoroughfare leading from the town of Antioch, and is a large up-to-date structure and destined to become one of the most populous schools of the whole number. It is new, the latest addition to our educational institutions. There are no memories of the past, no venerated associations clustering around it, no participants in the active affairs of life who can look back reverently and say, "Within its storied walls I studied out the confusing problems of algebra, or learned the rudiments of the three Rs, that carried me successfully through life," for it is yet new and without its traditions.

              The last of our references is to the organization of Brentwood School District, the thirteenth in the order named, though older than some others. The year 1878 seems to have been the fortuitous epoch, as the advent of the railroad and the opening up of the Brentwood Coal Mines induced the laying out of the town by the owners of the Los Meganos Rancho. Ample room was set apart for schools and churches, and the gathering in habitants were not slow to avail themselves of the bequest. Under the active leadership of A. Duffenbach, a district was organized and a large single-room building erected - principally by donation. This served to accommodate the community until the latter '80's, when a contract was let for the construction of a large two-room addition, at a cost of $4,300, built in the Eastlake style of architecture, with ample covered porches all around the structure. It was also provided with a bell, the first "these valleys and rocks ever heard," and two teachers were employed.

                It would have been in accordance with the writer's desire to hand down to posterity through these historical pages the honored names of the trustees and founders of these public schools; but in many instances no record is extant to refer to, and only a few are still remembered, and the record would therefore be only partial, and apparently discriminative. In their public-spirited endeavors to promote the welfare of the rising generation in the establishment and promotion of the free school system - often done at an unusual and unselfish sacrifice of their time and money - they earned the gratitude of succeeding generations. Also, would it have been a pleasure to have recorded herein a list of all the teachers employed in the various schools, but, as only a partial list could be obtained, it was deemed best not to mention any.

High Schools

 

               The establishment of the high school as an intermediate between the grammar school and the university was intended to complete the chain in our State educational system from the kindergarten to the university. The necessity was long felt, and communities were not slow to avail themselves of the opportunity to organize high-school districts. Antioch was the first to move in this respect, and some of her leading citizens, with Charles Montgomery, then editor of the Antioch Ledger, took an active part in the circulation of a petition to the county superintendent to call an election in the various districts for the purpose of uniting with Antioch in the foundation of a high-school district, with the view of locating the school at that point. The signatures of the trustees of several of the districts were obtained with the intention of securing the majority of the thirteen districts; but the Brentwood trustees absolutely refused to sign the petition, on the ground that Brentwood was centrally located, that it was the logical and proper place for the location of a high school. The position taken by the Brentwood board was very bitterly resented by the editor of the Ledger in a three-column article reflecting on the motives of Mr. Dean, especially in refusing to call an election, and thus preventing his constituents from voting on the proposition.

                The stand taken by the board of trustees finally resulted in the retention of the territory, and when the proposition was afterward made to establish a high school at Brentwood the surrounding districts of Excelsior, Byron, Liberty, Deer Valley, Lone Tree, Live Oak, and Eden Plain readily assented, and the district was organized under the title of Liberty Union High School. Antioch organized under the name of Riverview.

                The first sessions of the Liberty Union High School were held for two or more sessions in the rear room of the grammar-school building. In 1906 a high-school building was erected at a cost of $8500, and at this date (March, 1917) a corps of six teachers are employed.

                Riverview has also erected a fine new building, and both institutions are fully equipped and accredited to the University of California.

Sycamore District School

 

                This school was organized in 1865, in a little plain redwood building. The ground upon which it stood was donated to the cause by Wade Hays. Rude benches without backs were the only seats, and, as there were no desks, the pupils placed their books beside them on the floor.

                In 1868 money was raised by subscription among the residents of the district, and the old building was replaced by one more in keeping with the times. The new schoolhouse was constructed by Mr. Dole, who also made  the seats and the teacher's desk.

                The first teacher in 1865 was Miss Mary Hall, now Mrs. Moore, of Los Angeles. Next came Mr. Clark, then Mr. Fletcher, and Miss Simpson, now Mrs. Brite. A. J. Young, of Danville, taught from 1869 to 1873, and has seen many of the children of those days grow to manhood and womanhood, for he and his good wife (later a teacher in the same school) have lived in their Danville home all the years since.

                From 1873 until 1890 the following teachers presided over the Sycamore school: Mrs. Rice, Miss Hoag, Miss Hammond, Miss Lewis, Miss Alison, Miss Mower, Mrs. Young, Mr. Burrel, Mr. Root, Mr. Mantz, Mr. Sheats, Mr. Sears, Miss Herrington, Miss Asmus, Miss Ida Hall (now of Danville school), Miss Kate Howard (now Mrs. Charles J. Wood), and from 1890 until the present Miss Charlotte Wood has held sway. Of these all are living, so far as I know, excepting Mr. Burrel and Mr. Root. Mr. and Mrs. Young, Mrs. Brite, Miss Hall, Miss Howard, and Miss Wood have resided continuously in this vicinity since serving their terms as teachers.

                A few years ago a caving of the creek bank necessitated moving the schoolhouse several feet nearer the road than the original location, and a little later the interior was remodeled.

                The Sycamore schoolhouse, in its earlier years particularly, was the social center of the neighborhood, and has been the scene of many a happy gathering in its fifty years' existence.

                The first trustees were Wade Hays and Charles Wood, who held the office many years. The present board are Mrs. J. L. Coats and Charles J. Wood.

Danville Public School

 

                The Danville district was cut off from the San Ramon district in 1865. The land for the first schoolhouse was donated by two old settlers, Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Nicholson. As a village was beginning to grow where the town of Danville now is, the schoolhouse was moved to its present location in 1871.

                 The first trustees were R. O. Baldwin, J. O. Boone, and Jonathan Hoag. R. O. Baldwin remained trustee as long as he lived.

                 Many teachers have done good work in the Danville school; but tribute must be paid to the veteran teacher still living near Danville, A. J. Young, whose influence for good has molded the characters of many of the best citizens of the San Ramon valley. After teaching eight years in San Ramon, four years in Sycamore, and four years in Tassajara, he devoted more than seventeen years of his busy life to teaching in the Danville school. During that time he spent a number of years as a member of the county board of education.

                  Danville has grown to such an extent that, whereas a few years ago but one teacher was employed, there are now two teachers who are preparing pupils to enter the excellent San Ramon Valley High School.

                  The trustees at the present time are C. W. Close, whose father was formerly a trustee, A. J. Abrott, and S. Johnson.

Eden Plain School

 

                In the spring of 1868 the community of Eden Plains held a meeting for the purpose of forming a school district. The question arose as to where the school should be located. After some discussion, John Pierce was chosen to select the spot, and he located it in his own premises. Next in order was the getting of the lumber onto the grounds, for transportation was a difficult problem in those days. This was accomplished, however, and in a short time the schoolhouse was completed. This building served its purpose for thirty-eight years. Miss Mary Lockhart was the first teacher, she remaining three months until the district was legally formed, and was paid by the patrons of the school. The next teacher was Mark Sickle.

                In 1905 it was found necessary to build a new schoolhouse, to be located nearer to the town of Knightsen. Four acres was purchased for a school site. The new structure was completed in June, 1906, at a cost of $7000 for building and grounds. It was occupied during the fall term of that year.

              In 1914 the number of pupils had increased so much that it was necessary to employ two teachers. The present teachers are Miss Edna Heidorn, principal, and Miss Pearl Gandrup, assistant. The number of pupils now enrolled is thirty-seven.

Iron House School

              Late in the sixties the pioneers of the tule country in eastern Contra Costa County established the Iron House School District, naming it from a house lined with sheet-iron in that vicinity, and electing Mesdames Sellers, Babbe, and Walton as their first trustees. The first building was a mile west of the present site. School was opened with fifteen pupils.

             In 1883 Mr. Emerson donated a portion of his fine ranch for school-grounds, to revert to his estate should they ever cease to use it for the purpose and the schoolhouse was moved to its present site, a quarter of a mile south of the old Babbe landing. Miss Angie Wakeman was the first teacher. She later became an actress under the name of  Wakeman. She is now a successful photo-play writer in New York.

             In 1896, under the leadership of F. Morton, Thomas Rooney, and Frank Nugent, the present substantial building was erected.

             In years gone by as many as sixty-five pupils have attended the school. At the present time thirty are pursuing their studies under Mrs. Alice Collis, a teacher of experience and ability, with the splendid co-operation of E. B. Sellers, H. Tretheway, and J. Minta, as trustees.

Deer Valley School

 

                The Deer Valley School was established and built in 1869. The land was donated by W. C. Haney. The first trustees' meeting was held at the home of W. C. Haney, and W. C. Haney, W. J. Smith, and J. R. Filkins were elected to fill the duties of trustees until June, 1870; later J. R. Filkins moved away and the vacancy was filled by J. O. Diffin. The schoolhouse has been in three different locations. It was moved to within a short distance of its first location on the northwest corner of the Haney place, now occupied by the Bettencourts, then a mile and a half northeast on the Stockton ranch (now occupied by J. Van Buren). This was done to secure the children from the near-by mines. Then, as the house was old, it was abandoned, and a new building erected where it now stands.

                The first teacher was Miss Emma McElroy, who was succeeded by Miss Susan Robinson (later Mrs. R. G. Houston, of Byron). Other teachers were Miss Anzette Taylor, of Byron (later Mrs. Richardson), and Miss Helena Calson. Later Mr. J. G. Parker taught for some years.

                The first pupils who attended were Mellisa Haney (now Mrs. Smith, of San Francisco), Sarah Haney (now Mrs. S. Hobson, of Antioch), T. C. Haney, of Antioch, Rosa Diffin (now Mrs. W. P. Howard, of Marsh Creek), William Juett, John Haney (dead some years), Eugene Filkins, and George and Mary Smith.

Lone Tree School

 

                The Lone Tree School was established in 1869. The first trustees were James Talbot, James Hornback, and Woodhull Smith. Others were C. L. Donaldson, Thomas Shannon, and Robert Love; still later, John Fitzpatrick, H. B. Juett, Michael Campion, and C. A. Maylott; and again, Henry Heidorn, Patrick O'Brien, and Frank McFarland. The first teachers were Miss Fancher, Miss Dickson, and Susie Robinson; then Miss Jackson, Miss Eva Wilk, Miss Avyette Taylor, Ella B. Shaw, and Carrie C. Clifford. Among the first pupils were William and Fannie Hornback, Abraham and Emma Harris, William and Laura Donaldson, Fannie Newton, James Talbot, Caroline Levaria, John and Philo Fancher, Joe and Mary Laws, Sarah, Mary, and Annie Smith, Joseph and Alex. Miller, James and John Carey, Sylvester Wristen, Dan Carey, Valentine Blair, George and Elijah Wills, Agnes and Mary Lewis, Eli Plater, Frank, Antoinette, Caroline, and Anna Rasette, Janet and Archibald Love; afterward the younger members of these families, including the Fitzpatricks,

Shannons, Campions, Grennens, Juetts, Sullengers, Wealches, Heidorns, Lynches, Ganns, Haneys, and Maylotts. The second building was erected in 1883. The deed for the lot was secured from Chas. McLaughlin the day before he was killed, in 1883. The third building was erected in 1908. The location has never been changed.

Concord Grammar School

 

               In 1870, just one year after the laying out of the town of Concord, the grammar school was started. The first teacher was Miss Annie Carpenter, who afterward became Mrs. Henry Polley. A good two-story building was erected at the corner of Grant and Bonifacio streets. It consisted of only two class-rooms and library, but in the course of a few years this was inadequate for the growing attendance. Several buildings about town were used as extra class-rooms, even after a new building for primary classes was put up across the street from the old one. An old building near the corner of Mount Diablo and Colfax streets and the upper room in the Fireman's Hall were used for a time, but both proved very unsatisfactory. It was finally decided to build a schoolhouse of sufficient size to accommodate the growing attendance for many years, and in 1892 a modern six-class-room building was completed. It stands several blocks from the center of town on the Willow Pass road. Since its erection a one-room bungalow has been added, and some of the class-rooms divided, indicating at the present time a very crowded condition. The old schoolhouse stands today at the corner of Grant and Salvio streets, two blocks from its original location, a landmark in the town.

                Today the Concord Grammar School ranks among the best in the country, with an attendance of nearly three hundred and a corps of eight teachers, E. A. Palmer, the Misses Helen Morehouse, of San Francisco, Eleanor Bertola, of Alameda, Agnes Hoey, of Martinez, Grace Smith, 

Charlotte Boyd, Ellen Thurber, and Mary McKenzie, of Concord. Among former teachers are several well-known people in the county - W. S. Tinning, a prominent attorney of Martinez; Miss Ida Hall, of Alamo; Mrs. Susie Dunn DeSoto, now of Rio Vista; Dr. Mariana Bertola, a physician of note in San Francisco; A. A. Bailey, for many years superintendent of schools in Contra Costa County; Mrs. Jasper H. Wells, wife of the present county clerk; Mrs. S. W. Cunningham, of Bay Point; Mrs. Thomas C. Smith and Mrs. F. F. Neff, of Concord.

Vine Hill School

 

                Twenty-five years ago (1892) October first our school building was completed. The teacher, Mrs. Matson, opened school with an attendance of twenty pupils, earning a salary of forty dollars per month. The schoolhouse is  a structure of the old frame type. The district was bonded for sixteen hundred dollars to build it. In 1916 improvements costing five hundred dollars were made in the building. The lot on which the building stands contains an acre of land, and was purchased for the sum of three hundred dollars. The first trustees were Captain J. F. Thoroe, James Kelly, and H. S. Ivey.

               Our school today has a daily attendance of thirty-five pupils, from first grade to eight grade. The present teacher, Ethel B. Bernier, is  paid ninety dollars a month, having taught here six years.

                The board of trustees at present are George H. Wright (clerk), Mrs. Julia Chandler Hill, and John Simonds.

 

The Richmond Schools

By Walter T. Helms, P. H. D., City Superintendent of Schools

 

              When in the year 1900, as the Santa Fe was completing its railway lines and terminals, the people began to settle in that territory that was soon to become the city of Richmond, it was part of the San Pablo School District. Consequently, when it became necessary to establish a school to provide for the children of these families the demand had to be met by the trustees of the San Pablo School District, who at that time were J. R. Nystrom, Harry Ells, and John Peres.

               The first school was opened in March, 1901, in Richard's Hall, with fifteen pupils and A. Odell as teacher. The school was under the supervision of Mrs. L. E. Benedict, who at that time was principal of the San Pablo school. Mr. Odell taught for some time, when he was taken with typhoid fever and Miss Clesta Rumrill took his place.

               The school was moved from Richard's Hall to the basement of the Methodist church, to remain there until a building could be erected to accommodate it. There was considerable discussion as to a proper location for the school site; but it was finally located on Standard Avenue, near the Standard Oil Refinery, the site having been given for school purposes by the Tewksbury estate.

               In 1901 a two-room building was completed and the school moved into it, with Miss Emily Boorman as teacher and an attendance that had increased to eighty-seven pupils. In July of the same year W. T. Helms had been placed in charge of the schools on the San Pablo District, which then included this school at Point Richmond, with one teacher, three teachers at San Pablo, and two at Stege, making six teachers in all. Today, just fifteen years later, this same territory requires a force of over eighty-five teachers. What was then a small rural school system has in this short space of time developed into a modern city school system.

               The building erected at the Standard Avenue school site had only two rooms, and it soon became necessary to add an additional teacher. People also began to settle at the east side of town, and the first school there was opened in the loft of a small barn at the corner of Ohio and Sixth streets, with Miss Elizabeth S. Carpenter as teacher.

               The San Pablo School District was very large and the means of communication and travel very difficult. It was soon apparent that the schools could not be covered with San Pablo School as the center of administration. Consequently, in 1903 the district was divided into three districts, made up of the San Pablo School District, the Richmond School District, and the Stege School District. For the balance of the year Mr. Helms remained with the San Pablo School as principal, but in 1904 was chosen to head the Richmond School District, which at that time was in a very poor condition, owing to the lack of funds, accommodations, and general organization. It soon became apparent that Richmond was to become a city of considerable size, and that buildings, sites, etc., should be provided with a view to future growth and development.

                The school at Standard Avenue soon outgrew the two-room building, and a six-room building was erected at that site. To accommodate the rapidly growing east side a four-room building was erected at a site on Tenth Street, donated by the Richmond Land Company. A few years later it was necessary to increase this four-room building to double its size and to provide schools for the Santa Fe section and the North Richmond section. A site was secured in the Turpin tract, and a four-room building erected and named the Peres School, after John Peres, who had been a trustee since the beginning of the city. In the Santa Fe section a four-room building was erected and named the Nystrom School, after John R. Nystrom, who had been president of the board for a number of years, and who gave much of his time to the demands of the growing district.

                The district grew very rapidly and it was soon felt that a high school was needed. In 1907, due to the efforts of the Rev. D. W. Calfee, John Roth, and others, an election was called, and it was unanimously voted to establish a union high school, to be composed of Richmond, San Pablo, and Stege districts. L. D. Dimm, of Richmond, W. F. Belding, of San Pablo, and B. B. McClellan, of Stege, were chosen as trustees to establish the school. With a desire to secure perfect co-operation between the high school and the grade schools, they selected Mr. Helms to act as supervising principal of the high school as well as that of the grade schools.

                The high school was opened and organized in August, 1907, at the old two-room school building at Standard Avenue, with B. X. Tucker, Miss Ruth Peterson, and Miss Alberta Bell as faculty, and an enrollment of about forty-five pupils. Plans were at once started for the erection of a permanent building. Eighty-five thousand dollars in bonds were voted, and in January, 1909, the school was moved to the present "Class A" building, which had been erected at the site chosen at Twenty-third Street near Macdonald Avenue.

  In 1909 a very important thing happened in the school history of Richmond. The citizens decided to adopt a charter form of government. In that year a modern charter was approved by the legislature, and Richmond became a charter city. In so far as the school department was concerned, this charter contained many provisions far in advance of their time, and which are now considered highly desirable for any modern school department. The underlying principles kept the schools from all possible political contagion, based the selection and tenure of teachers on efficiency, and made the city superintendent of schools head of the school system and responsible for its success. The directors were given long terms of office (six years) and the elections arranged to take place in the even-numbered years, while the election for councilmen was held in the odd-numbered years. In this way there is very little possibility for the issues at a council election becoming involved in a school election, and in consequence school elections have been quiet , free from politics, and have attracted the highest class of citizenship to seek office. Excellent teachers have been secured, because they are assured that as long as they give excellent services their positions are secure. The department has been free from all sorts of strife, wrangling, and discord. The policy has been to provide the best schools possible for the money expended, without ostentation or advertising of any kind.

                In 1912 the citizens of Point Richmond had outgrown the second building, and it was decided to erect a larger and permanent building at a more suitable site. By a vote of the citizens of the district a site on Richmond Avenue was chosen and the Washington School erected.

               In 1913 the residents of the Stege School District, feeling that they could secure better advantages by becoming a part of the Richmond School District, were annexed to the Richmond District by the board of supervisors, thus bringing back the Richmond District to almost the same size as the original San Pablo School District from which it started. San Pablo District still remains a distinct district.

               At the present time the Richmond School District has nine graded schools - Washington, Lincoln, Peres, Nystrom, Stege, Fairmont, Grant, Pullman, Winehaven, and the high school.

               In place of the enrollment of thirty-six pupils in 1900, we have an enrollment of over twenty-five hundred pupils. These are housed in modern, sanitary buildings containing all the latest devices for ventilation and heating and other equipment necessary to provide everything modern in the course of study, such as manual training, cooking, sewing, etc.

              In addition to the so-called regular subjects, excellent instruction is furnished along modern lines, as special teachers are employed in music, sewing, cooking, manual training, penmanship, and drawing. In order to interest the pupils of the upper grades, their work has been further broadened along the lines of study such as is incorporated in what are known as intermediate schools, by the introduction of algebra, German, and Spanish. In order that children may progress rapidly, and to reduce the number of laggards as much as possible, promotions are semi-annual, or as often as occasion may require. All the newer buildings are fitted with windows that can be thrown open to make each room an open-air school,  and every attention is given to the health of the children. Adjustable desks are provided, so that the seating may be as correct as it is possible to make it. With a view to further promoting the health of the children, a trained nurse is employed, and careful investigation is made of all absences. She consults with parents and uses every means to improve the physical condition of the children. In this way, and with the close co-operation of the health department, the Richmond schools have never been closed on account of an epidemic.

                In the high school, in addition to the regular courses required in order that students who desire may enter the University of California, other courses are offered, enabling a student to secure a good practical education should he not continue in school after graduating from high school. Special attention is given to courses in music, art, manual training, and domestic science. The high school has a very strong commercial department, which enables young men or young women to prepare for a business career.

               The school department of Richmond has always been fortunate in the loyal support of a loyal public. It has never been disturbed by factions among its patrons. It has been indeed fortunate in the class of men who have been chosen from time to time to conduct its affairs. In the grammar schools such prominent and capable men as John R. Nystrom, John Peres, Harry Ells, James Cruickshank, E. O. Gowe, Dr. J. L. Bedwell, Otto Poulsen, and E.  L. Jones are recalled, while the high school shall always cherish the names of W. F. Belding, B. B. McClellan, and L. D. Dimm.

                At the present time the board of education of the elementary school department is composed of J. N. Long (president), J. O. Ford, and R. E. Slattery. The high school board is composed of E. H. Harlow (president), W. S. McRacken, J. F. Brooks, H. W. M. Mergenthal, and Edward Hoffman.

Antioch Grammar School

 

                In 1890 the trustees, H. F. Bude, J. Rio Baker, and D. P. Mahan, noticed the crowded condition and promoted the erection of a new school-house. They were entirely successful, and as a result of their efforts a building, one of the finest in the county, was erected. So far did they look into the future that the building is still occupied, although it is also fast becoming too small. At first only the lower floor was occupied, but upon the founding of the Riverview Union High School the upper floor was used by that institution. It was only for a few years, however, as the increasing attendance in the grammar school made it necessary for the high school to seek new quarters.

                The work so well started has been continued by the boards that followed. M. D. Field, Mrs. Paulo Donion, and Doctor W. S. George, the present trustees, deserve great credit for the manner in which they have kept the school abreast of the times during the past few years. Special courses in manual training, domestic science, and music have been introduced, and in the yard steel playground apparatus has been built. Antioch is justly proud of her school, which is among the foremost in the country.

Mount Diablo Union High School

 

               This school was organized in the spring of 1901. The board that was chosen that year, and was in office from the first of July, consisted of E. J. Randall, president; M. T. Sickal, secretary; and Messrs. Kirkwood, Putnam, Parkinson, Sutton, and Miss Loucks. Two rooms were secured in the grammar-school building and school opened in August, with G. W. Wright (principal) and Miss Maud Grover as the teachers. Miss Grover later married Mr. Chandler, now a member of the State Water Commission, and resides in Berkeley. There were thirty or fourty pupils the first year, six of them from other high schools and the others in the first-year class.

               The next year Miss Gulielma R. Crocker was added to the teaching force, and a small room in the grammar-school building was secured for a  recitation room, and was also used for such laboratory work as could be done under such conditions. There were three graduates this year - Misses Elinor Godfrey, Helen Godfrey, and Lucille Budey.

               For the third year of the school, 1903-04, Miss Sara Lunny was secured to take the place of Miss Grover, who resigned to be married. There were three graduates this year also - Miss Grace Crawford, Miss Agnes Williams, and Leonard Martin. In the meantime Mr. Sickal had moved to Concord, and George Whitman succeeded him as a member of the board of trustees. Mr. Parkinson also gave way to Mr. Tormey, and Mr. Gehringer took the place of Mr. Sutton.

               As soon as it had a graduating class the school was examined and accredited by the State University. The course of study was the regular academic course, but even with this the school had now outgrown its accommodations, and the board began to discuss the question of a new school-house. A room was now secured in Odd Fellows Hall and equipped for laboratory work for both chemistry and physics. A bond election was called to secure money to build a new house. The bonds received a majority, but failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds vote. After some time a second bond election was called, the bonds failing to carry this time by a few votes. If the writer remembers correctly, six votes were needed to make the two-thirds majority. In the meantime the question of the legality of the organization was legal. The board now decided to erect the building by direct tax. Through the generosity of Mr. Maltby, a site was donated and the building was constructed in the summer of  1905.

                At the election of trustees Mrs. Bancroft was chosen to succeed Mr. Whitman and Mr. Douglas was chosen to take the place of Mr. Kirkwood, who had moved out of the district. Herbert Kitridge was chosen principal for the year 1905-06. After four years' occupancy of the grammar-school quarters, school was opened in the new building.

                In the last six years vast changes have taken place in the Mount Diablo region, and these changes have taken place in the Mount Diablo Union High School. This section of the county has been electrified by being brought into closer communication with the cities about San Francisco Bay. And the school responding, as schools always do, to conditions in the community about it, has itself developed into a new life.

                In 1910 the school occupied a six-room building on a lot of three and a half acres, and offered a course which was strictly academic and preparatory to the normal schools and the State University. Today it is crowding eleven rooms on a ten-acre lot, and has broadened its curriculum to include some of those vocational subjects for which there is so wide-spread a demand.

                This growth has been gradual, as all healthful growth must be. It is interesting to note the steps by which it has come about. In the summer of 1911, the trustees purchased something over six acres of land immediately adjoining the old triangular lot, thus making a rectangular piece of property approximately six hundred feet to a side. At the same time, they connected the building with the newly installed sewer system, and made the sanitary equipment of the building thoroughly up to date. The following winter the board laid a concrete sidewalk along the front of the school property, anticipating the work which the town soon after took up.

                In the spring of 1912, the trustees and student body, working together, laid out a quarter-mile track and erected a grand stand. The annual track meets of  the Contra Costa Athletic League have been held on this ground since that time, and it is probable  that the league will continue to hold its field meets in Concord for some years to come, since Mount Diablo is the only school in the county which owns athletic grounds large enough for this purpose.

               During the summer and early fall of 1912, the high-school building was materially enlarged by the addition of an assembly-room. The far-sighted policy of the trustees in laying a hardwood floor in this room has been a source of pleasure to the students ever since. It is the best dancing floor in Concord. For the more prosaic every-day use of a study-room, the hall will seat one hundred or more pupils. And when seated as an auditorium, it will accommodate three hundred.  The stage at the east end is large enough for concerts and for commencement exercises, but it has proved too small for the plays which the students give every fall.

              The lower story of this annex was finished in the summer of 1913 to form two rooms, one of which is now used as a sewing-room and the other as a kitchen.

               The manual-training shop was originally located in the basement, but work soon outgrew these quarters. In the fall of 1914 it became necessary to erect a separate building to accommodate the students in this highly useful and practical subject.

                Early in 1916 it became evident that the number of regular classrooms available would not be sufficient for the size of the school, and later in the year the trustees evolved a plan by which the building can be gradually enlarged, each addition forming, when completed, a part of what will be a unified whole. In accordance with this plan, two new recitation-rooms have been added.

               The growth in numbers of the school has been perhaps its most impressive development. In 1910 it had five teachers; now it has ten. In 1910 the total enrollment of students was fifty-eight; now it is 155, and there are fifty-seven students in the entering class alone.

               The graduates of the school have made a highly creditable showing in whatever line of work they have undertaken, the record of those who have gone to the State University being especially commendable.

               A remarkable  feature of the school is the permanence of its governing bodies. There has been but one change in the board of trustees since 1910. The principal and three assistants have also held their positions during the same period. This permanence has made possible the maintenance of a consistent policy of development and the attainment of a high degree of efficiency.

Riverview Union High School

 

                This school was organized in 1903 through the efforts of W. S. Moore, principal of the grammar school at Antioch. A union of the districts of Live Oak, Summersville, Black Diamond (now Pittsburg), and Antioch formed the Riverview High School District. The upper floor in the grammar-school building was used for the class-rooms. There were thirty-two pupils, all freshmen, and two teachers, Mr. Moore and Miss Hagemayer. H. F. Beede, president of the board of trustees for seven years, was the main factor in the maintenance of the school. Six of the first thirty-two pupils graduated in 1907 and the inspector from the State University decided that their work was of such a quality that they could be recommended to that institution.

               The high school remained in the quarters of the grammar school until 1911, when the present building was completed, Mr. Kitridge being the first principal. In 1913 a domestic science department was installed and a manual-training room was completed. Next year a chemistry laboratory was added and a few class rooms finished. In 1915 the manual-training classes were so large that a new building was necessary, so, under the directions of Mr. Cater, the manual-training teacher, a new building was constructed by his pupils.

               In 1914-15 some work was done on the grounds, but they are not yet completed. Many trees were put out and the driveway finished, but their is still a great deal of work to be done.

               The number of pupils in attendance has increased each year until at present (1916) there are one hundred and thirty enrolled on the school.

Live Oak School

 

                In 1885, on a lot about a mile and a half from Oakley, the former dwelling-house of Mr. Ruckstuhl was remodeled for a school, which was named Live Oak, as trees of that species abound in the vicinity. There was one teacher in charge, and about twenty-five children, who had been attending surrounding district schools, came to the new school. The members of the first board of trustees were William Fleckhammer, J. Ruckstuhl, and J. T. Wheelhan.

                 In 1903, at a cost of four thousand dollars, the present building was constructed. Somewhat later, when another teacher was added, the one large recitation-room was divided into two rooms. At present there are forty-three promising future citizens in the Live Oak school. All the regular subjects are studied, but with few extras, as each teacher has four grades.

Hot Springs School

 

                Hot Springs schoolhouse was erected in 1911, at a cost of about $3600. The original board of trustees were John Armstrong, Jr. (clerk), Henry Mehrtens, and George Stone. Miss Grace Brennaman was chosen as teacher. Twelve pupils constituted the social attendance.

                The school has now (1916) an attendance of eighteen. Henry Mehrtens, Herman Krumland, and John Armstrong, Jr., clerk, are the present members of the board.

                 At present there is a good playground equipment, being bought with money raised by entertainments given by the children.