Member-only story
The School on Top of the Gentle Hill
The Story of California’s Oldest Two-Story School House
Revised
In the Gold Rush Town of Columbia, California, at the top of a gentle hill (unless you’re hiking it lol) lies California’s oldest two-story school house. The lower floor of the schoolhouse served students in grades 1 – 5, while the upper floor served students in grades 6 – 8. There were primarily male students at the school at the time because the oldest daughter was generally sent to school, and she taught her younger sisters at home.
In 1860, the school was built at a cost of $5000 using locally made sun-dried bricks. It did not open until November due to a lack of furniture.
Two outhouse buildings were on the grounds for the students’ use. The school day would begin when the children arrived with chores to do.
As a result of the low cost of the land, the school was built close to a cemetery, but paranormal activity has been reported in the area.
In November of 1860, the school opened with 368 students, two teachers, and a principal, a large number at the time, but these numbers would fluctuate significantly over time.
At times, the size of the school spoke to the prosperity of the town.
The schoolhouse was continuously in use until 1937, when it closed because it did not meet California’s earthquake requirements. In 1960, the old building was restored at a cost of $60,000, with $57,000 raised by California schoolchildren.
