USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 21
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In 1897 Judge Mckenzie married Melvina I. Durham, a school teach- er and a graduate of the San Jose State Normal School. Mrs. McKen- zie is a daughter of J. E. Durham, who is one of the early settlers in Contra Costa County.
Judge Mckenzie is a Republican, and was chairman of the Republi- can County Central Committee during the campaign of 1908.
CHAPTER XVIII
EDUCATIONAL
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-teach- ing in Illinois, at the early age of fifteen years. After coming to Mar- tinez, he passed an examination and was declared qualified to teach. His school at first consisted of five or six pupils from two or three fam- ilies. These pupils gathered in the Blossom house, later known as the Gift house, near Thomas Hill, at the entrance of Bay View Park. Dur- ing 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 thir- teen 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 I 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 Street. The pupils varied their exercises with recitations, origi- nal essays, and songs.
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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 some- times two and three prizes each. A debating society and spelling-school frequently held forth in the evening. These "spelling downs" were at- tended 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 ser- vice as a schoolhouse, it was used as 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 Greg- ory was succeeded by Miss Jane Lyon. Twenty pupils were taking high- school work, and there were twelve primary scholars, besides the inter- mediate 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 ap- paratus, supplying much of the equipment herself. During the winter a stove was borrowed and fuel was furnished by the pupils. The stove- pipe 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 filled the vacancy caused by Miss Lyon resigning. Miss 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 that 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
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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 pri- vate 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 estab- lished 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 University of California examiners. This was the beginning of high-school work in Contra Costa County. As the law proved defec- tive, 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 tempor- ary 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.
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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.
PITTSBURG SCHOOL
The growth of the school system of Pittsburg is one of the most remark- able 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 Nor- tonville 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 that time a large schoolhouse, the old brick school that still stands and renders service as a school- room. 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 :
Number of children attending school. 1875 1917
39 850
Salary of teachers for one year . (I)'$750.00 (24) $21,931.92
Cash paid for rents, contingent expenses, and building repairs
316.85 36,074.49
Total expenditures
1,066.85 58,006.41
Total receipts from State and county funds. . 203.72 29,026.00
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Total amount received from miscellaneous
sources
108.63
10,425.80
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 in- stitution 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 con- tiguous, and a trudge of two or three miles by the pupil to reach the schoolhouse was not unusual; but as the population increased the dis- tance lessened, until there are 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 un- peopled land the spirit and exalted hopes that characterized their Pil- grim 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 superstructure of the social fabric of the new empire that they came here to aid in constructing ; hence the school- house 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 de- rives 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
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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 struc- ture. 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 organ- ized. A small schoolhouse was erected on the north side of Taylor Slough and a school maintained there for several years, but later aban- doned.
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 orna- mental, 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 quarter 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 '6os resulted in the organization of the Excelsior School District and the location of the school building on the southeast corner of the Neth- erton quarter. The style of construction and the lack of facilities ul- timately 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 school- house and church that seemingly go hand in hand. But several years ago that enterprising town outgrew the primitive schoolhouse and built
2II
EDUCATIONAL
a beautiful and creditable building that is representative of the pro- gressive spirit of its citizens.
As the county settled and the population grew, a school became a necessity not long to be ignored in the country 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 boy- hood days, but in the larger future that is opening up in the construc- tion of its irrigation system there will come a demand for the accommo- dation 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 pri- mary 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 An- tioch, 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
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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 inhabitants 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 '8os, when a con- tract was let for the construction of a large two-room addition, at a cost of $4300, 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 em- ployed.
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 discrimina- tive. 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
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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 cen- trally located, that it was surrounded by districts contiguous in terri- tory, and that it was the logical and proper place for the location of a high school. The position taken by the Brentwood board was very bit- terly resented by the editor of the Ledger in a three-column article re- flecting on the motives of Mr. Dean, especially in refusing to call an election, and thus preventing his constituents from voting on the propo- sition.
The stand taken by the board of trustees finally resulted in the re- tention of the territory, and when the proposition was afterward made to establish a high school at Brentwood the surrounding districts of Ex- celsior, 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 seasons 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
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
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 Simp- son, 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 man- hood 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 Syca- more 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.
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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 school- house was completed. This building served its purpose for thirty- eight years. Miss Mary Lockhart was the first teacher, she remain- ing three months until the district was legally formed, and was paid by the patrons of the school. The next teacher was Mark Sickle.
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