Elk Grove in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Rhoads School

1872 - 1946

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

1. Rhoads School Marker

Inscription. Rhoads School completed 1872. Located on the west side of Sheldon Road, now called Sloughhouse Road two miles south of Jackson Road. Replaced first Rhoads School located north side, near levee of Cosumnes River next to Rhoads south west property line. School authorized by Jared Dixon Sheldon to provide schooling for area children. Said to named for John Pierce Rhoads, member of Donner Rescue parties. Ceased operation 1867 for reasons unknown. Funds and students transferred to Union School next district south during the interim. New school funds raised by subscription within district. Operated until June 1949 when Rhoads, Michigan Bar, Stonehouse and Wilson districts combined to form Cosumnes River Union School District. Moved to present site, May 19, 1976.

Erected 1977 by Liberty Parlor No. 213, Native Daughters of the Golden West and Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, Native Sons of the Golden West, July 4, 1977.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1775.

Location. 38° 23.792′ N, 121° 22.426′ W. Marker is in Elk Grove

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, California, in Sacramento County. Marker is located in the parking area in front of the school on the grounds of Elk Grove Community Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9941 East Stockton Boulevard, Elk Grove CA 95624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Elk Grove (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elk Grove History (approx. 0.9 miles away); Independent Order of Odd Fellows (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Elk Grove History (approx. one mile away); Hasman Building/General Store (approx. one mile away); Elitha Cumi Donner - Wilder (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Grove.

Additional commentary.
1. School History
The current day Rhoades School is the smallest elementary school in Elk Grove Unified, but it must also be credited with being the oldest school because it stands near the site of the first real school, the original Rhoads School. This school was built by Jared Dixon Sheldon on the Cosumnes River in the 1840s. It was replaced by the new Rhoads School, constructed in 1872. That's the little school that sits today in Elk Grove Park. In the fast paced gold days when miners filled the banks of the Cosumnes, there were many

Rhoads School and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

2. Rhoads School and Marker

school districts formed to provide education for the children of the families that followed the gold. Districts and their schools named Sebastopol, Katesville, and Live Oak ceased to exist after 1883, but Michigan Bar, Wilson, and Stone House operated until 1947 when they merged as the Cosumnes River Elementary, Rhoads School closed the next year and joined the consolidation. The Cosumnes name is believed to come from ko-sum, a Miwok Indian word for salmon.
Source: Elk Grove Unified School District -- http://www.egusd.k12.ca.us/schools/cosumnes.cfm

— Submitted April 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Additional keywords. Gold Rush

Rhoads School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

3. Rhoads School

Front of Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

4. Front of Schoolhouse

Looking Northeast

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

5. Front of Schoolhouse

Looking Southwest

North Side of Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

6. North Side of Schoolhouse

South Side of Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

7. South Side of Schoolhouse

South Side School Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 17, 2009

8. South Side School Yard

Displaying Wilson School Bell and "privie"

Wilson School Bell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, October 10, 2016

9. Wilson School Bell Marker

This marker is at the base of the school bell.

Rhoads School Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2010

10. Rhoads School Interior

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 13, 2010

11. Rhoads School Interior

Elk Grove Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, October 10, 2016

12. Elk Grove Park Marker

Elk Grove Park Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, October 10, 2016

13. Elk Grove Park Monument

With the Rhoads School beyond.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,530 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9. submitted on February 22, 2017, by James King of San Miguel, California. 10, 11. submitted on November 14, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 12, 13. submitted on February 23, 2017, by James King of San Miguel, California.