SLO County schoolhouse cost $4,000 to build more than a century ago. Here’s its history
Schools are the center of communities, as I was recently reminded while reading Tribune reporter Mackenzie Shuman’s story about Carrisa Plains Elementary School.
Schools are more than buildings or a place to educate children. They can double as playgrounds, polling locations on election day and gathering places for community events.
This was especially true in the era before television and radio.
That’s why it is sad to see one of those historic schoolhouses languish.
Some schoolhouses, including those at Rancho El Chorro, Los Osos and Arroyo Grande, as have been restored as historical show pieces.
Others have found a contemporary life. The former Independence School at the corner of Orcutt and Righetti roads in San Luis Obispo, now houses the tasting room for Baileyana winery.
The San Luis Coastal Unified School District is planning to convert the long empty Avila Beach Schoolhouse to a bed and breakfast.
The district is working with Avila Beach-based Shear Edge Development to remodel the property at the corner of San Antonia and San Luis streets in Avila Beach.
A September 1912 notice to contractors soliciting bids for the Avila Beach Schoolhouse described a one-story school house with two classrooms, a library, ante-rooms and a veranda, with plans and specifications on file with the San Luis Obispo County Superintendent of Schools.
The contract was awarded to Jas. Maino & Son. Harlan King, who was also listed as a bidder, later attended the social held to celebrate the completion of the schoolhouse.
Construction began in October 1912 with the expectation that the building would be ready by January 1913.
The schoolhouse served as the center of family life in Avila Beach for decades, and was celebrated on the Women’s Page of the Daily Telegram on Feb. 24, 1913.
One of the tag lines on the page was “You and your friends.” The other was “News for fair femininity.”
Avila School Scene Of Big Social Time
Fifty couples celebrated the opening of the new four thousand dollar school house at Avila Saturday night. The event was observed by a big dance, at which nearly every resident of the beach town was present.
The Avila orchestra, reinforced by the leadership of Charles St. Clair of San Luis, furnished the music and dancing was continued until a late hour.
Before the festivities commenced the gathering listened to addresses by Atty. S.V. Wright and contractor Harlan C. King of San Luis.
SLO County school consolidated into district
The school was consolidated into San Luis Coastal in the 1960s, a common practice in an era when schools were absorbed into larger districts. It closed 53 years later.
According to a brief notice on the the editorial page, the school bell was given to Vicente Canet.
This story ran in the Telegram-Tribune June 9, 1966.
Avila school
Farewell party tomorrow
There will be a “Party” at the Avila Beach Elementary School Friday night, a farewell party at the school that has served the community since 1900. All present and former students are invited and they are expected to come from many parts of the state.
With the ending of the school term on Friday, Avila Beach School will be absorbed into the unified and larger San Luis Coastal District. The unified district plans to hold the building for possible use as a kindergarten if there is sufficient enrollment.
The program Friday will start at 7:30 p.m. with the ringing of the old school bell by Mrs. A.E. (Laura) Ruda, who retired after teaching at Avila for 23 years. She now resides in San Luis Obispo.
Vincente Canet, member of the county’s earliest families, will review the history of the school, leading a time of reminiscence. A social period will be shared by students and parents, past and present.
During this school year the Avila Beach school has had two teachers, Mrs. Doris Tucker and Mrs. Patricia Stevens, although the total enrollment has dropped to 18 students. Classes go through the sixth grade. In past years the school has had as high as 96 enrolled.
Mrs. Tucker is chairman of the reception committee which is honoring the retiring district board members. They are John Gorman, Henry Lepley and Mrs. Robert Paulson. Assisting Mrs. Tucker are Mrs. Eugene Jones, Mrs. Perry Martin, Mrs. F. Hutiman, Mrs. H. Lepley, Mrs John Gorman and Mrs. Hayden Glenn. Coast Guardsman John Cravens will lead the flag salute.
The first Avila school was held in a private home during 1900. The red-roofed school on the hill was built soon after and many a generation of students have since passed through it.
