La Grange in Stanislaus County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Old La Grange Schoolhouse

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 22, 2016

1. The Old La Grange Schoolhouse Marker

Inscription. This building, circa 1875, replaced the Branch District School that was built of rough lumber in 1855. Typical of the era, it is one room with handmade furnishings, porch and bell tower. A native of Iowa, C. C. Wright came here and began teaching in about 1866. He became a notable, self-taught lawyer, and from 1876 to 1879 served as District Attorney of Stanislaus County. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1886. On January 11, 1887 he introduced a bill to create irrigation districts. The Wright California Irrigation Act was signed into law by Governor Washington Bartlett on March 7, 1887. The Wright Act would forever change how the county’s water demands were distributed.

Legend has it that Bret Harte taught school here on his journey to the Sierra Gold Fields. There were more than a dozen small schools built later in the county east of Waterford. The names of some were Lafayette, Hardscrabble, Tilden, Roberts Ferry, Horr, Hemitage, Live Oak, Rowe, Robinson, and Dry Creek. Most are just a memory.

Across from the school is the St. Louis Catholic Church, built in 1854 it was the first of any denomination in the county, and one of the first, excluding missions, in the state. There are 160 known burials in its cemetery. This monument commemorates the 160th anniversary of La Grange, California.

Erected

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2009 by Estanislao Chapter 58, 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 month for this entry is January 1913.

Location. 37° 39.716′ N, 120° 27.713′ W. Marker is in La Grange, California, in Stanislaus County. It is on Flota Road west of Yosemite Boulevard (California Highway 132), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30101 Flota Road, La Grange CA 95329, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Saint Louis Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); La Grange Saloon (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); LaFayette Historical Lodge #65 (about 800 feet away); The Trading Post (about 800 feet away); La Grange (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named La Grange (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Barn – First Adobe Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

Regarding The Old La Grange Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 24, 1979.

Bret Harte used this community as the setting of his novel The Four Guardians of La Grange.

The Old La Grange Schoolhouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 19, 2011

2. The Old La Grange Schoolhouse and Marker

If there is truth to the legend that he taught school here it would not have been in this building as he had left the gold fields of California several years before this building was built.

The Old La Grange Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 19, 2011

3. The Old La Grange Schoolhouse

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 19, 2011

4. The Old La Grange Schoolhouse

View of the Schoolhouse From the La Grange Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 19, 2011

5. View of the Schoolhouse From the La Grange Cemetery

Not to be confused with the St. Louis Mission Church Cemetery noted in the marker text, which is located across the road. See nearby marker St. Louis Mission for additional information.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,490 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 23, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 19, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.