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

Hamilton School, Anza

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 11, 2010

1. Hamilton School, Anza Marker

Inscription. Until the 1880s, James Hamilton was among the very first homesteaders in the Cahuilla Plains or Hamilton Plains, now Anza, and was a highly respected pioneer who overcame many obstacles in his life, including prejudice. The Hamilton School District was formed in 1913 and this schoolhouse was constructed in 1914. Used as a classroom for 50 years, serving grades 1-8, the school, named in honor of James Hamilton, also functioned as a polling and meeting place and continues to serve this community today.

Erected 1992 by Riverside County Historical Commission; Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, E Clampus Vitus; Anza Civic Improvement League; Anza Community Hall Assn; Ana Lions Club; Anza Valley Society for the Creative Arts; Chamber of Commerce; De Anza Heritage and Genealogy Society; Soroptimist Int. of the High Country; Terwilliger Community Association; Thimble Club; VFW Post #1873 and Auxiliary; and R & M Concrete. (Marker Number 63.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 33° 33.297′ N, 116° 40.497′ W. Marker is

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

in Anza, California, in Riverside County. Marker is at the intersection of Cahuilla Road (State Road 371) and Contreras Road on Cahuilla Road. Marker is located in front of the relocated old school building at Minor Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Anza CA 92539, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. De Anza Camp (approx. 5.8 miles away); Kenworthy (approx. 7.3 miles away); Juan Diego Flats (approx. 7.8 miles away); Historic Lake Hemet Dam (approx. 8 miles away); Camp Emerson (approx. 12.9 miles away); Idyllwild Campground Pictograph (approx. 13.2 miles away); Hoxie-Vance Cabin (approx. 13.3 miles away); Idyllwild Town Hall (approx. 13.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anza.

Regarding Hamilton School, Anza. Jim Hamilton came west by way of Mormon wagon trains, living with Sioux Indians for about a year before moving on to San Bernardino in about 1850. He then moved to San Diego where he built a hotel. He moved a few more times, finally settling on the Cahuilla Plains (now known as Hamilton Plains) before 1876. Jim Hamilton was born in Ohio in 1821 of racially-mixed parentage. Mr. Hamilton did battle prejudice in his life before he died in 1897, a landowner and a citizen held in very high esteem by his neighbors. SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque

Hamilton School, Anza image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 11, 2010

2. Hamilton School, Anza

Book by Phillip Holdaway

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.