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

Coalinga’s First School

1896

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

1. Coalinga’s First School Marker

Inscription. Coalinga’s first school opened with forty one students and two teachers. After 1908 and the opening of the Polk Street School, it is believed to have been converted to the local library. This school building still exists today as family housing.
There were earlier schools in the Warthan canyon, Los Gatos canyon and Jacalitos canyons. These schools were a one room class built on skids. The school was simply pulled by horse teams from year to year, depending on the greatest good or need.

Erected by Coalinga Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 36° 8.203′ N, 120° 21.344′ W. Marker is in Coalinga, California, in Fresno County. It can be reached from East Polk Street near South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 East Polk Street, Coalinga CA 93210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

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: 1911 Boiler (a few steps from this marker); Coalinga School (a few steps from this marker); Coalinga’s First Rail Station – 1891 (approx. ¼ mile away); Coalinga’s Notorious Whiskey Row “1909” (approx. ¼ mile away); A.P. May Inc.

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Sullivan Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Fredrick Tibbits and Louis O’Neill (approx. ¼ mile away); Bordagaray’s (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coalinga.

More about this marker. This marker is located in Lynch Family Park, formed by the intersections of East Polk Street, South 5th Street and East Ivy

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

2. Coalinga’s First School Marker

The marker is visible above the lion sculpture.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.