Porterville in Tulare County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Citrus South Tule School

Photographed by Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter No. 1855 E Clampus Vitus, July 11, 2013

1. Citrus South Tule School Marker

Inscription. One of the oldest continuously operated schools in Tulare County was started at this location as South Tule School, May 6. 1874. Citrus Elementary School founded in 1897, merged with South Tule in 1932. The La Motte School, founded in 1894, was annexed to the district in 1936. The original Citrus School site is now below the high water line of Lake Success. La Motte School, after being removed from its original site and renovated, is at the Tulare County Museum in Mooney Grove. These schools served the children of area ranchers, also of miners who worked both the black granite quarry immediately to the south, and the magnesite mines across the south fork of the Tule River. During World War I a major part of the nation's supply of magnesite, an industrial mineral essential to the war effort came from this area.

Erected 1986 by Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter 1855 of E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1874.

Location. 36° 4.681′ N, 118° 52.734′ W. Marker is in Porterville, California, in Tulare County. It is on Success Valley Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31366 Success Valley Drive, Porterville CA 93257, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Treaty of 1851 (approx. one mile away); Success Dam and Lake (approx. 2 miles away); The Citrus School Bell (approx. 4.3 miles away); Daunt (approx. 4.3 miles away); Elster Building (approx. 5 miles away); Tule River Indian Reservation (approx. 5.1 miles away); a different marker also named Tule River Indian Reservation (approx. 5.1 miles away); Welcome to the Tule River Indian-Reservation (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Porterville.

Citrus South Tule School and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Citrus South Tule School and Marker

La Motte School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. La Motte School

Founded in 1894, now located at the Tulare County Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.