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

Potter School Est. 1873

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015

1. Potter School Est. 1873 Marker

Inscription. Sheriff Samuel Potter donated the land for this public school in 1872. In September of 1873 classes for grades 1 through 8 were held in two large classrooms on the first floor. The upstairs functioned as a multi-use room and community hall. In December of 1961 the condemned school building was sold by auction to the highest bidder. In March of 1962 Alfred Hitchcock used the school in his film, "The Birds".

The old school sat vacant and condemned until June of 1966, when Tom and Mary Taylor purchased it. With the help of their three children, they lovingly restored the Italianate structure to its original splendor.

The 6.000 square foot space is still owned by the Taylor Family. The old school serves as a residence for three generations of their family. Yes, they live here.

This property is private property. No Trespassing.
PLEASE respect our privacy. Dispose of your litter in a proper receptacle and clean up after your dog. All rights reserved by the owners. Building may not be used for promotion, publicity or profit except by permission by the owners.

For more information: www.bodegaschool.com

Erected by The Taylor Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music

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• Education. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1962.

Location. 38° 20.744′ N, 122° 58.295′ W. Marker is in Bodega, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is on Bodega Lane near Bodega Highway, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17110 Bodega Lane, Bodega CA 94922, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Church of Saint Teresa of Avila (within shouting distance of this marker); Bodega Bay (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watson School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Running Fence (approx. 1.9 miles away); Christo’s Running Fence (approx. 3.2 miles away); Freestone House (approx. 3½ miles away); The Children's Bell Tower (approx. 4.4 miles away); Occidental Union Hotel (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodega.

Also see . . . Potter School in Bodega. Page for the Potter School, but with less information than the historical marker. (Submitted on August 23, 2015.)

Potter School Est. 1873 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015

2. Potter School Est. 1873 and Marker

The marker is mounted on the fence, just to the right of the gate.

The Potter School in Hitchcock's <i>The Birds</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert Burks (Director of Photography), Leonard J. South (Camera Operator), 1962

3. The Potter School in Hitchcock's The Birds

Tippi Hedren is the woman in green. If the perspective seems slightly off relative to the preceding photograph, it's because this is a matte shot with the children actually running down Taylor Street in the town of Bodega Bay, a couple of mile distant from the Potter School.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.