Historic School House
August 2010
Archives dating back 133 years are housed in the 900 square-foot 1883 Schoolhouse located at 390 West F Street behind the former Pacific View elementary school. “Entering the Schoolhouse you are surrounded by historic photos, pictorial charts, old combination desks of the 1800′s and displays that capture our past,” said longtime member Lloyd O’Connell.
The historic building is more than a landmark. Rather, the organization ensures an open atmosphere that encourages visitors to explore the contents of the schoolhouse. With over 160 files that cover everything from art to farming to water, participants can research various subjects. This collection of essays, news clippings and letters is available to students and all community members as a free service. Docents are available to assist every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Over 200 photos in a collection that continues to grow complement the city’s written history. It depicts the region’s agrarian past, the evolution of the flower industry, prominent founding families and the character of a coastal lifestyle.
Enthusiastic volunteers implement outreach programs like the pictorial Power Point presentations in order to expand the community awareness of history. Various groups including students, seniors, and club associations all benefit from the mobile history project.
In order to capture the hearts and minds of today’s schoolchildren, the organization works to bring history alive for local classrooms. Third graders can be found browsing through the collection of documents and photos from decades past to get a sense of their history. “We deal in the past but we also look to the future,” O’Connell said.
Some of what the students learn might surprise residents who’ve lived in the area for years. For instance, in 1882, John Pitcher, who owned half of Downtown, donated the 2.8-acre site where the schoolhouse now stands to the Encinitas School District. The trustees had voted to build the school with a $600 bond issue. Big money in those days! Twelve citizens voted unanimously to approve the issuance.
Fate played its role when a cabinet-maker named Edward Hammond came to Encinitas with eleven others in tow. His construction skills provided the know-how to build the one room school in 1883.
In 1982 the need to preserve local heritage was strong in the minds of a young energetic Encinitas Historical Society. The historic schoolhouse that was moved and became a country home in 1928 was in danger of destruction. The new property owner had plans to develop the site so the organization spent eighteen months searching for a suitable relocation site were spent to find a relocation site. The Encinitas Union School District agreed to grant a portion of the Pacific View Elementary School grounds. After 100 years, the schoolhouse returned to its original home.
The next time you’re taking a walk by an aging building or an exciting event happens in town, don’t forget to take a picture. You never know who will be looking at it 30 years from now when the organization reaches another milestone in preserving history.
For more information visit: www.encinitashistoricalsociety.com.
Downtown Encinitas is intimately tied to the past, present and future of the city. Part of the charm of the area is in knowing that its history has been so well preserved. In fact, the Encinitas Historical Society is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. The dedicated individuals within the organization strive to maintain local history and preserves historic sites.
