Anderson Valley School

Con Creek School History (The Little Red School House)

The information contained in this history summary came from Whatever Became of the Little Red Schoolhouse.

For the 15 years prior to 1891, the Con Creek School District had a school to the south of where our museum now stands. One day the red haired schoolteacher of that school, Annie McGimsey, said, “Pick up your books. We’re moving to the new school." This “new" school was our beloved school/museum, known today as The Little Red Schoolhouse.

At that time, the “new” school faced west, bordering the Old Highway (Anderson Valley Way). It was painted white with green trim. The long porch was added after the 1906 earthquake. The back room was added in 1940 as a library. In 1965, the State Division of Highways was preparing to build a new road and by-pass Anderson Valley Way. When rights of way were purchased for the new “expressway,” it became necessary to move the building slightly and give it a quarter turn. The customary white coat was changed to red and the school was rededicated as the Little Red Schoolhouse in November 1963.

Blanche Brown became the teacher in 1928. The school functioned as kindergarten through 8th grade one room school until 1941, housing only 7th and 8th grades from 1941 through 1947, with Mrs. Brown still teaching. The schoolhouse even served dual purposes during some of its early years, with records showing that an organ was housed in the school and Preacher Shaw held services there. In the years between 1947 and the early 1950’s, the lumber business was booming, bringing in many new families. A Quonset hut was added and the school met many needs, serving as an overflow location for the changing enrollment. During these years teachers included Ella and Eva Farrer, Hazel Nobel, Miss Krampholz and Lena Titus. It was first used as a kindergarten in 1958. When the new elementary school was built, Con Creek School was closed.

Then, in 1961, schools were once again overflowing and space was needed for a kindergarten class. Con Creek School was resurrected and continued to operate as a kindergarten through 1979. From September 1960 to early 1978 there were two Barbaras teaching, Barbara June & Barbara Ingram. Mrs. Ellen Tinkler was the last teacher at Con Creek School. So, ninety years after the first children moved in, the last kindergarten class graduated.

The Community Services District purchased the school in 1979, with an agreement that it would be leased to the Anderson Valley Historical Society for use as a museum. In October of that year, the school was placed on the National Register of Historical Landmarks. On July 4, 1980, the Anderson Valley Historical Society held a dedication ceremony and picnic. Thus, Con Creek School continues to operate as an educational facility, housing generations of family stories and many fascinating artifacts and displays, all adding up to a compelling and comprehensive history of the settler communities of Anderson Valley and their descendents.