Citrus Heights in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sylvan School
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2011
1. Sylvan School Marker
Sylvan School, built in 1862, was one of the first rural schools in Sacramento County, but was not the first school in Citrus Heights area. The first school was a private school located on the Cross Farm. At the time it was necessary for settlers to support a private school before becoming eligible for public funds. Sylvan School was originally located on the northwest corner of Auburn Boulevard and Sylvan Road. Alfred Spooner was the first teacher and had forty students. The school property was divided by an imaginary line from north to south. The girls stayed on one side of the line and the boys on the other.
The original school had white clapboard siding (narrow wooden siding) and green shutters. The interior consisted of a single classroom with two small closets. In addition to serving as a schoolhouse, the building was used for community meetings, church services, dance parties and a voting place.
In 1926 Guy Van Maren spearheaded a successful bond issue to construct a new Sylvan School. In order to make room for the new and larger facility, the original schoolhouse was relocated to Sylvan Road to be used as a community center. It was donated to the community in 1927 by Adolph Van Maren and is held in a private trust.
Erected by City of Citrus Heights.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 38° 41.481′ N, 121° 17.429′ W. Marker is in Citrus Heights, California, in Sacramento County. It is on Sylvan Road north of Community Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6903 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights CA 95621, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Citrus Heights Community Club (here, next to this marker); Sylvan Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); San Juan High School (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Rusch Home (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sept. 11, 2001 Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); Roseville - Placer County Vietnam Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); Roseville Junction Monument (approx. 3.6 miles away); Walerga Assembly Center (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Citrus Heights.
Regarding Sylvan School. The school was demolished about 2018. New facility is located to the southwest on Auburn Boulevard.
Also see . . . Citrus Heights History. Town website with links to historic resources, including a walking tour. (Submitted on September 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2011
2. Sylvan School Marker
This duplicate image is displayed on the opposite side of the marker.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2011
3. Sylvan School and Marker
The "Nearby Marker" The Citrus Heights Community Club is seen mounted on the front of the building.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2011
4. Sylvan School
Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2011
5. Northern Side of the Schoolhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,731 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on December 5, 2024, by Sherry E Bradley of Rancho Cordova, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on August 30, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
