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

Sherman Institute

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Sherman Institute Marker

Inscription.
Established in Riverside, California, as a federal school for the education of American Indians. Dedicated June 18, 1901, and named for James Schoolcraft Sherman, chairman of Indian Affairs, House of Representatives, who promoted the appropriations act for construction, May 31, 1900.
Presented by Col. James Smallwood chapter Daughters of the American Colonists, Riverside, California, February 17, 1967.

Sherman Indian Museum - 1901.
Last of the original buildings of the Sherman Institute, U.S.Govt. Indian School, originally the administration building for the Mission-styled complex, built by Wilcox and Rose.
Cultural Heritage Landmark No. 16, City of Riverside.

This property, Administration Building - Sherman Institute, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

Erected by Daughters of the American Colonists, and City of Riverside. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list.

Location. 33°

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55.509′ N, 117° 26.243′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from Magnolia Avenue near Jackson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9010 Magnolia Ave, Riverside CA 92503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hawthorne House (approx. half a mile away); Arlington Branch Library (approx. 0.7 miles away); Heritage House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Camp Anza Officer's Club (approx. 1.8 miles away); MALSR (approx. 1.8 miles away); Henry M. Streeter House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Magnolia United Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); The First Marsh Grapefruit Trees into California (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Regarding Sherman Institute. The school was founded in 1892 by the United States government to assimilate Native Americans into the mainstream society.
This was the first off-reservation boarding school in California. The enrollment consisted of Southern California Indian children from the Tule River Agency to San Diego County. Students ranged in age from 5 years old to early 20s. The main subjects taught were agriculture and domestic science. On July 19, 1901, the cornerstone was laid for the new school building of Sherman Institute. The Mission Revival Style architecture

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Sherman Institute Marker

was considered a novelty when the school was built, and the city promoted the school as one of the landmarks to visit by tourists. To meet earthquake standards, most of the original school buildings were demolished during the 1970s, and new structures were built in their place.
The Sherman Museum is currently the school's only original architecture; it was once the school's administration building. The building has been designated a National Historic Landmark and Riverside Landmark number 16.
In 1995 Huell Howser Productions, in association with KCET/Los Angeles, featured Sherman Indian High School in "California's Gold".
Sherman Indian High School is still an off-reservation boarding high school for Native Americans.

Also see . . . California’s Gold - "Important Places". This half-hour video shows the school, beginning at 11 minutes into the program. (Submitted on June 30, 2024.)

Sherman Institute Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Sherman Institute Markers

Sherman Institute Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Sherman Institute Building

Sherman Indian Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

5. Sherman Indian Museum

Original Buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

6. Original Buildings

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A link to the National Register of Historic Places nomination form, including a citation of the school's historical significance. • Can you help?