Claremont in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

John Muir School

James W. Plachek, Architect, 1915,

— Collins-Byrens & Gerson-Overstreet, 1976 & Baker/Vilar Architects, 1998 —

John Muir School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

1. John Muir School Marker

Inscription. City of Berkeley Landmark
designated in 1983 John Muir School was built beside Harwood Creek on land once part of a 19th-century country estate. The half-timbered style reflects the scale and architecture of the neighborhood and the nearby Claremont Hotel. A remodeling project undertaken in 1976, in part for earthquake safety, rebuilt the interior but the exterior was preserved with the help of strong community support. The auditorium, preserved in its original condition, expresses the Craftsman ideal of using handcrafted materials in harmony with nature. Murals painted on burlap in 1924 by John Muir School parent Ray Coyle and his assistant Homer Ansley now hang in the reconstructed library. A two-classroom addition was integrated into the design in 1998. The school is named for American naturalist John Muir (1838-1914).

Erected 2000 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.

Location. 37° 51.461′ N, 122° 14.699′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Claremont. Marker can be reached from Claremont Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located near the John Muir School

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Administrative Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2955 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley CA 94705, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Claremont Court Gate and Street Markers (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Star Grocery (approx. ¼ mile away); Claremont Public Improvements (approx. ¼ mile away); The Kelsey Ranch (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Wonderland (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Berkeley Repertory Theatre: Original Location (1968) (approx. half a mile away); Strand (Elmwood) Theater (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Also see . . . John Muir School - Berkeley Public Schools. John Muir was constructed in 1916, with funds from the 1915 bond. The original architect as James Plachek. The first principal was Miss Lydia Atterbury. The original curriculum was based upon the Montessori method. (Submitted on April 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

2. John Muir School Marker

John Muir School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012

3. John Muir School

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.