Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Harry Ells School

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 12, 2020

1. Harry Ells School Marker

Inscription. On this site a school was founded in 1944 to serve Richmond students. The school was named after Harry Leander Ells, who served on the Stege School Board and served the 22nd District of the State Assembly in 1903-1905 representing Contra Costa County. He lived in Richmond for 60 years and died in 1943 at the at the age of 88. He was superintendent of the California Cap Works, a realtor and active in the early industrialization of Richmond.

The following schools existed on this site:

Harry Ells Junior High School 1944 - 1954
Harry Ells high school (Eagles) 1955 - 1967
Richmond High School (South Campus 1968 - 1970
Harry Ells High School (Falcons) 1970 - 1985
Richmond Adult School was located on this site.

The purpose of this memorial is to recognize the history of the students and staff who attended and worked at schools located on the Harry Ells School site, and honor former State Assemblyman and school board member, Harry Leander Ells.

A one block portion of 33rd Street was renamed Harry Ells Place in 2002 by the Richmond City Council.

The West Contra Costa County Unified School District

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Board of Education authorized placement of this memorial on September 9, 2003.

Dedication December 20, 2003

Erected 2003.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 2003.

Location. 37° 56.054′ N, 122° 20.267′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. It is at the intersection of MacDonald Avenue and 33rd Street, on the right when traveling east on MacDonald Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond CA 94805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willie Mays (approx. 0.2 miles away); City of Richmond Employees World War II Memorial

Harry Ells School Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 12, 2020

2. Harry Ells School Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here mounted to a low cement monument, under the tree.

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Richmond Native Sons, and Daughters of the Golden West Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Santa Fe Railway (approx. 0.9 miles away); Welcome to Richmond (approx. 0.9 miles away); What Happened Here? (approx. one mile away); Japanese Nurseries (approx. one mile away); The Avenue (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.