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

Orange's First Public Schoohouse

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 2, 2017

1. Orange's First Public Schoohouse Marker

Inscription. Orange's first public schoolhouse was completed here in June 1872. E. W. Squires, Amos Travis, and Elton R. Nichols, trustees for the Richland (Orange) School District had contracted for a building that was 24x26x14 feet, for the 70 pupils that were present on opening day. A. B. Chapman deeded the land to trustees for $1 and the benefit of education. Chapman's gift of the 2½ acre site contained the restriction that it was to be used solely for the purpose of a public school. Stephen McPherson, according to tradition, first taught here; Isabel Souires and Robert Furlong are known to have followed.

Erected 1976 by Association of California School Administrators, Orange Charter; Orange Unified School District; and Orange Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1872.

Location. 33° 47.564′ N, 117° 51.21′ W. Marker is in Orange, California, in Orange County. It is on Glassell Street south of Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 N Glassell Street, Orange CA 92866, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular 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 walking distance of this marker: Great Western Cordage (approx. ¼ mile away); California Wire Company

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Orange's First Bank (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Orange Plaza (approx. 0.3 miles away); May Festival (approx. 0.3 miles away); Torch Run (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Fe Train Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Orange Street Cars (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange.

Also see . . . Orange Bicentennial Markers. (Submitted on September 26, 2023.)

Orange's First Public Schoohouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 2, 2017

2. Orange's First Public Schoohouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.