The town trustees saw the need for a school, so they rented a room at the rear of a dance hall called a Fandango House at 2nd and Washington. The room was furnished with half a dozen wooden benches, a table for the teacher, a blackboard, a map of the world, and a rawhide whip. 12 to 15 children attended this school.
Oakland Tribune Jun 12, 1921
Horace W. Carpentier donated a school building to the city in exchange for (control of)the area around the harbor. Oxen teams from the hills brought redwood lumber, and a small structure was erected at 4th and Clay Streets. It was 30 x 20 feet with a 12-foot ceiling and a shingled roof. A belfry with a little bell. Carpentier described the building as “substantial, elegant, and commodious.”
In June of 1853, when the school opened, the citizens held a parade, and 16 students carried a banner that read, “Our Duty to Our Country, First, Last, and Always.”
Miss Hannah Jayne – Oakland History Room
The first teacher of the school was Miss Hannah Jayne. She taught until 1856, when she resigned to marry Edson Adams, one of Oakland’s pioneers.
Oakland Tribune Mar 19, 1936
From the Oakland History Group Facebook
In 1853, the First Presbyterian Church used the building for services. The church’s current sanctuary (built-in 1914) memorializes the schoolhouse in one of its stained glass windows showing church history.
stained glass showing the church’s history – localwiki.org/oakland/Our_Oakland”>Our Oakland
By 1855 there were 155 children of school age in Oakland. The little schoolhouse could not house them all. The old Carpentier school was replaced by a slightly larger building between Jefferson and Grove ( now Martin Luther King) on 11th and 12th Streets.
The city continued to grow, and so did the need for schools. By 1873 there were 13 buildings with more than 2000 children receiving instruction. By 1875 there were 3,225 attending school, increasing by 1000 in 2 years.
First A.M.E. Church
The First A.M.E. Church of Oakland began in 1858 by a small group of Oakland residents and is the oldest African American church in Oakland. The church founders purchased the Carpenter School House in 1863, which became the first church building.
Oakland Tribune 1883
According to the article below, the building was still there in 1921
Oakland Tribune Jun 12, 1921
Oakland Tribune 1943
In 1943 the school district celebrated its 90th Anniversary with nearly 2000 teachers and 75 schools with almost 45,000 students.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated December 17, 2019
Montclair Grammar School
Oakland Tribune September 20, 1925
The Montclair District held formal dedication ceremonies in their first school on March 14, 1926. The service is under the direction of A.R. Romer, the principal, and Mrs. J.D. Bishop, the teacher in charge of the 71 students already registered to attend the school.
Oakland Tribune March 15, 1926
The four-room schoolhouse was built with funds from the building program funded by a $9,000,000 bond issue voted by the people of Oakland in 1924.
In attendance were Mrs. Stanton Lore representing the Montclair Women’s Club, and Mrs. E.T. Jepsen of the Piedmont Avenue PTA
Oakland Tribune 1926
Montclair School 1927
Montclair School 1927
Montclair School 1927
The original brick building with a tile roof was later considered an earthquake risk and razed in 1936. They used portables for many years.
Oakland Tribune Oct 1936
The new school building was dedicated in 1942, with nine classrooms, an administrative suite, an arts and crafts room, a PTA room, and a Library, was created. In 1947, a Cafeteria and Assembly Hall were added.
Auditorium
Montclair in the 1950s
Montclair is located at 1757 Mountain Blvd., Oakland.
Montclair Today
In 2013, a new building was added to the campus, which houses a modern Multipurpose Room, new classrooms, a faculty lounge, and a living roof. A new learning garden and play structure were also added to the campus.
Plans for a new school in the Montclair District were drawn up by local Montclair residents Robert “Bob” Goetz and Jens Hansen in association with Confer and Willis.
Drawing of Thornhill 1956
The site on Thornhill Drive at Alhambra was acquired through condemnation proceedings. The court awarded $48,000 to the landowner, Alice Taylor.
Oakland Tribune July 4, 1956
Oakland Tribune July 4, 1956Oakland Tribune August 28, 1957Montclarion 1957
The school was to be ready in September 1958 and would have an administration office, a multipurpose room, a library, 11 classrooms, and a kindergarten room.
Montclarion Oct 23, 1957Oakland Tribune June 22, 1958
Thornhill 1959-60
Dedication – November 12, 1958
The Montclarion Nov. 12, 1958
November 12, 1958
November 12, 1958
The Montclarion Nov 1958
Bus Service
The district approved the school bus earlier in the year, stopping at both Thornhill and Montclair schools. The kids were picked up throughout the hills on the roads designated ‘safe.’ The bus service continued until 1959, when the service was going to be pulled but continued a little longer after the parents rallied to raise money to maintain the service.
Menu 1959Jan 1959Jan 1959The Montclarion
Thornhill 1963-64
The school is located at 5880 Thornhill Dr, Oakland
The bid was taken in November 1949 for the New Joaquin Miller Elementary School on Ascot Drive in Montclair.
Oakland Tribune November 1950
Oakland Tribune November 1950 Tribune
First Graduate
In January of 1950, Judith Lowe, 12 daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lowe, had the honor of being the first graduate of the school – she was the only one. She was the lone pupil in high sixth grade.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. I highlight a bit of the history of each school. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools can be tricky. I do this all at home and online—a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know if I make any mistakes or add anything.
Fruitvale Schools 1-3
UPDATED AUGUST 2024
“Fruit vale Public School” – LatterFruitvale No. 1
Fruitvale School, in the early 1880s, was situated on the field. Circa 1880s OMCA H97.1.48
Oakland Tribune Jan 07, 1880
From what I can tell, the school was in the exact general location of Fruitvale Elementary School today, at the corner of Boston Street and School Street.
New Life as Church
1896, after Fruitvale No. 1 was built, the old school was moved and remodeled for use as a church. It was re-dedicated as the Higgins Methodist Episcopal Church in March of 1896.
SF Call Mar 09, 1886
SF Examiner March 1896
The Fruit Vale (as it was sometimes spelled) School district was formed in 1889 to build a new schoolhouse.
SF Examiner June 4, 1889
Fruitvale No. 1 – FruitvaleElementary School
In 1894, in the Fruitvale School district, the trustees were forced to meet the demand and take steps to build a larger school. The new school replaced the old Fruitvale School building from the 1880s.
SF Call Aug 27, 1895
The plans called for a $13,000 2-story building with a concrete basement. Each floor was to have four large classrooms and lunchrooms for the teachers. The principal’s office was on the first floor, and a space was reserved for a library. The basement had separate playrooms for the boys and girls, janitor rooms, and a heating apparatus.
“The building cost was $16,000, and it is located in the healthiest spots of this healthy locality.”
SF Call August 27, 1895
The style of the new building was the Italian Renaissance. The architects were Cunningham Bros. of Oakland.
SF Call Aug 27, 1895
Oakland Tribune Jul 26, 1889
The pastures of the Empire Dairy surrounded the school from 1880-1901
Oakland Tribune Dec 13, 1970
Fruitvale School circa 1901
In 1913, Fruitvale School No. 1 was changed to just Fruitvale School.
New School Built
The new Fruitvale School was dedicated on December 1, 1950. It has 14 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a kindergarten, and an auditorium. The school was designed by Ponsford and Price Architects and cost $497,700. It can accommodate 569 students.
Oakland Tribune Nov 09, 1949
The dedication was attended by William Taylor, a long-time resident of the Fruitvale District; he was a student at the “old Fruitvale School “in the 1880s. Oakland Tribune June 1962
In 1913, the name of Fruitvale School No. 2 was changed to Hawthorne School. The school was on Fruitvale at East 17th (Tallant Street)
Hawthorne School Circa 1900 – Cheney Photo Advertising
1923, a concrete culvert was built, and Sausal Creek was filled in.
School Destroyed by Fire in 1923
Oakland Tribune Apr 30, 1923
On the morning of April 30, 1923, 750 pupils, teachers, and staff of the Hawthorne School were evacuated from their classrooms while the entire upper portion of the building was being destroyed by fire. The fire was believed to have started from sparks that fell from the chimney.
Oakland Tribune Apr 30, 1923
Three alarms were sounded, and all available firefighting apparatus rushed to the scene. Two firemen were hurt when a portion of the burning roof gave way.
New School Built
The district purchased the property fronting on East 17th Street, adjoining the playground. The new school was built away from the noise and traffic of Fruitvale Ave.
Oakland Tribune Sept 21, 1924
In September 1924, they laid the cornerstone of the new school building, which John J. Donovandesigned. The two-story building, which cost $102,000, contained ten classrooms, offices, and a room for the PTA.
The new school is located at 28th Avenue at East 17th Street, across from the old Fruitvale School No 2. The old school building was destroyed by fire the year before.
Oakland Tribune Sept 21, 1924
The following items were put into the sealed cornerstone:
Minutes of Board of Education May 1924
Minutes of Board of Education June 1924
Outline of the school plans
Program from Cornerstone ceremony
History of the PTA
Names of all the pupils enrolled
Group photos of all the classes.
School Directory
The new school opened in January 1925.
Oakland Tribune Jan 24, 1925
The school is located at 1700 28th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601
Achieve Academy (TK-5) serves students in the Fruitvale neighborhood and is one of Oakland’s highest-performing elementary campuses.
Hawthorne School -photo by Richard A. Walker Creative Commons 2023
Fruitvale No. 3 – Allendale School
Before 1904, children living along High Street had to walk to Fruitvale School No. 1 on School Street. The Allendale District was chosen because of its central location for the children from Laurel Grove District (Laurel District) to High Street and Foothill Blvd, then known as Old County Road.
Fruitvale School No. 3 was built in the Allendale neighborhood in 1904.
The 1904 school building cost $107,437 to build. The first year’s enrollment was 809. A four-room addition was added in 1910, and another four rooms, costing $49,458, were added in 1928.
Oakland Tribune July 19, 1910
Miss Alice V. Baxley was the first principal of Allendale School from 1904 to 1913.
Fruitvale No 3 – Renamed Allendale 1913
In 1913 Fruitvale No. 3 was renamed Allendale School.
Oakland Tribune Mar 1913
Oakland Tribuine Mar 1914
Dangerous and a Hazard
The school was deemed unsafe and closed in 1953. At the time, it was one of the oldest school buildings; two others from the pre-1906 era were still standing. The old school building withstood the 1906 earthquake.
San Francisco Examiner Dec 1953
SF Examiner Dec 20, 1953
Seventeen portables were placed on the site to house the students until the fall of 1959.
The Old Allendale School Just Before Demolition – From the Family of Doss Welsh
OaklandnTribune June 21, 1957
The day of reckoning has come for the old Allendale School building which has been razed”
The new school, Allendale-Fruitvale Junior High, was constructed at Hopkins (MacArthur Blvd) and Coolidge Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Oct 10, 1928
Oakland Tribune Nov 9, 1928
The Allendale-Fruitvale Junior High was changed to Bret Harte Junior High at a school board meeting in 1929; the other name under consideration was Dimond Junior High.
The school was named after Bret Harte, an American author and poet best known for his somewhat romanticized accounts of pioneer life in California. He lived in Oakland from about 1854 to 1857 at the home of his stepfather, Colonel Andrew F. Williams, who was later Oakland’s fourth mayor.
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1930
The school was the last to the new school to be built out of the 1924 Bond issue. It was constructed at the cost of $120,000.
The building contained 22 classrooms, and on opening day in 1930, 699 pupils enrolled. The school graduated students from Fruitvale, Allendale, Sequoia, and Laurel Schools.
The school opened in 1930.
The Oakland Post Enquirer Jan10, 1930
The school’s auditorium gymnasium building was constructed in 1950.
The Oakland Post Enquirer Aug 2, 1950
Oakland Tribune Aug 29, 1950
In 1957, the school district opened bids for a new building at Bret Harte.
Oakland Tribune July 7, 1957
The new building was built on campus in 1959, and another major expansion occurred in 1979.
The 1930 time capsule in a copper box found during the 1979 construction was never opened and has since been lost.
The school is located at 3700 Coolidge Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602
In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools. Along with a bit of history of each school, I highlight. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings or postcards, or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated Jan 12, 2020
Manzanita Grammar School
In 1909 the Board of Education annexed the Fruitvale and Melrose School Districts. More on the history of annexationin Oakland.
Oakland Tribune 1909
Oakland Tribune 1910
The first school to open was Manzanita Grammar School, located on 26th Street between 24th and 25th.
The 2-story building with 8 classrooms, a principal’s office, teachers’ locker room, library, and a kitchen was designed by F.D. Voorhees and cost $23,000.
Oakland Tribune June 28, 1970
In 1920 there was a gas explosion in the basement of the school.
Manzanita Annex
Oakland Tribune Jan 1926 Best Copy I could Get
In January of 1926, the board of education accepted the plans for an annex to be added to the building already on the site. The new structure will cost $70,000.
In September of 1926, it was determined that the (new) Manzanita Annex that was more than halfway done was unsafe. The concrete work was entirely defective, and to make the building safe for occupancy, they had to remove the entire structure above the foundation.
Oakland Tribune Sept 1926
The Alameda County Grand Jury was asked to investigate the faulty construction of the $70,000 school building.
New School Dedicated
A dedication ceremony was held in January of 1927 for the new $70,000 Manzanita School Annex at 24th Avenue and E.26th. The Mission style edifice had 8 classrooms and kindergarten and a restroom for teachers.
The new building adjoined the old school building.
Oakland Tribune Jul 4, 1956
In 1956 it was proposed that the 46-year-old 3-story building would be replaced with a new school building.
In 1958 bids were accepted to demolish the old school built-in 1909.
Oakland Tribune Aug 1958
The new building was designed by Donald S. Mackey architect, and it contained 15 classrooms, 1 kindergarten, 1 special education room, a cafeteria, a library, and offices.
The new building was dedicated in September 1958
Manzanita Today
Manzanita is located at 2409 East 27th Street, Oakland.
Manzanita School Today
Manzanita Community School (MCS) is a small school located in the heart of the Fruitvale neighborhood. Our bilingual program is K-3. We are one of the most diverse schools in OUSD.
I am sorry to say I haven’t been too lucky with finding pictures of the first school or older pictures of the present school. Hopefully, someone might have some to share.
The School Today
Maxwell Park School was established in August of 1924, in a single portable shack. It was then a part of Horace Mann School. There were 108 students registered that first year.
In April 1925, preliminarily plans for a new Maxwell Park school were approved.
In 1925 it became a separate school, with Miss. Sue Dunbar as the principal and a faculty of four teachers.
In January of 1926, a new six-room structure was dedicated.
I haven’t found any picture of the first school.
Oakland Tribune Jan 1926
Oakland Tribune 1928
Additions are added
Oakland Tribune Aug 10, 1930
Oakland Tribune July 1930
The new addition was complete, and they eliminated the need for the portables, for now.
Oakland Tribune Jan 04, 1931
More construction in 1936
Oakland Tribune Mar 1936
The school is located at 4730 Fleming Avenue, Oakland
Maxwell Park Now
Today
Melrose Leadership Academy now uses the school. It is a dual immersion school in the form of bilingual education; Website
Elizabeth Sherman Elementary School
Sherman Elementary School is located in Maxwell Park The site close to Mills College.
In 1931 a new auditorium was dedicated. The auditorium was called “Little Theater,” and it consisted of two portables joined together to make one. There was a stage built at one end.
Named After
Sherman Elementary was named after Elizabeth Sherman (September 5, 1859 – June 27, 1937) was a long-time educator in Oakland in 1931.
In 1887 she was teaching at Lafayette Elementary School By 1907, she was the principal of the school. She retired from teaching in 1928.
New School
Oakland Tribune July 03, 1956
In 1956 architects Foulkes and Dennis drew up the plans for a structure to serve 325 students.
The new unit included an administration office, library, eight classrooms, one kindergarten, one special ed classroom, and a music room. They continued to use the auditorium built-in 1936.
The ground was broken for the new school in May of 1957, and the students moved in February 1958. A formal dedication was in April 1958.
Oakland Tribune Feb 09, 1958
Sherman Today
The school is located at 5328 Brann St.
Sherman Today
Today Melrose Leadership Academy and Urban Montessori share the campuses at Maxwell Park and Sherman.
Urban Montessori Charter School (UMCS) opened in the fall of 2012 and became Oakland’s first public Montessori school.
Melrose Leadership Academy (MLA) is a public school that emphasizes leadership development and focuses on social justice in partnership with our families
The Daniel Webster School is located at the large lot bounded by Plymouth, Olive, and 81st and 82ns Streets in East Oakland. The school over the years shorten the name to just Webster School.
Oakland Tribune November 27, 1921Oakland Tribune November 27, 1921
The school opened in 1922 with just 4 classrooms, 200 students, and plenty of room to grow.
The construction of a 14 room addition and an auditorium to the school was to begin in July of 1925.
Below is how the school looked in 1925.
Oakland Tribune Oac 27, 1925
Webster Today
The school is located at 8000 Birch St.
The Webster Elementary School site hosts the East Oakland Pride Elementary. A TK-5 school in the Arroyo Viejo neighborhood, situated on the old Webster Academy campus. We offer both Spanish-English bilingual and English-only programs in K-2; upper grades are taught in English.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. I highlight a bit of the history of each school. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools can be tricky. I do this all at home and online—a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know if you have any additions.
Elmhurst Middle School
A June 1893 real estate ad for the Warner Tract in Elmhurst announced that.
building will commence soon on a new $15,000 schoolhouse upon the Warner Tract.
Oakland Evening Tribune Jun 26 1893
Elmhurst Grammar School was formally dedicated in July of 1894. The school contained four large classrooms.
New Addition for Elmhurst
The people of Elmhurst are requesting more room at Elmhurst; below is the proposed addition in 1903
Oakland Tribune July 29, 1903
In August of 1904, work had begun on the additions to Elmhurst School.
Oakland Tribune August 18, 1904
Oakland Tribune January 25, 1911
Elmhurst School circa 1912
Elmhurst School is now Elmhurst Junior High
With the opening of the Elmhurst Annex School ( E. Morris Cox), a junior high school was needed. A new school was built at the site of the Old Elmhurst School at 98th and Cherry and Birch Street. The new school opened in July 1927.
Oakland TribuneJuly, 31, 1927
John J. Donovan designed the new school. The structure is in classical design, with 21 classrooms and shops connected to manual training classes. Other features are an auditorium with a balcony and a motion picture projection room.
Modern Shops were added to Elmhurst.
Oakland Tribune June 23, 1926
Fires
In June of 1955, $35,00 destroyed one woodshop while damaging another.
In May 1967, Elmhurst Junior High suffered $25,000 in a suspected arson fire. It was the 7th school fire that year.
Elmhurst Today
Elmhurst is located at 1800 98th Avenue
Elmhurst Community Prep (ECP) is a triumphant middle school located in East Oakland. ECP prepares 6th – 8th-grade students for high school, college, and career by using a host of online and digital tools
McChesney started an elementary school built in 1913 at the intersection of 13th Avenue and East 38th Street. The school was named in honor of educator Joseph B. McChesney (1832-1912),Oakland High School‘s first Principal, who died the year before this school was finished.
In 1901 property was purchased for $1500 by the Melrose School District, then part of the unincorporated Brooklyn Township.
Bids opened in June of 1901. The entire amount used for construction and purchasing the property was $15,000.
Melrose School was dedicated in November 1901.
From the 1923 Fremont High School Yearbook
In 1905, Union High School No.4 was established at Melrose, and classes were held on the 2nd floor while plans were being drawn up for the new Fremont High School.
New School
In 1959, plans were drawn up to replace the 58-year-old Melrose School. The new building would hold 300 students plus faculty and have seven classrooms, one kindergarten, administration offices, a library, and a multipurpose room with a kitchen.
Oakland Tribune July 15, 1959
E.D. Cerruti designed the school.
Oakland Tribune May 10, 1959
The new Melrose Elementary was dedicated in December 1960. It was built on 53rd Avenue, and the old school was on 52nd Avenue.
Oakland Tribune December 7, 1960
Melrose Elementary School is located at 1325 53rd Avenue
It is now Bridges Academy at Melrose
We are building bridges from East Oakland to college and careers by breaking barriers to create a more just, equitable, and culturally responsive community
Melrose Heights school was later renamed Horace Mann (please see Part 1)
Oakland Tribune May 3, 1909
Melrose Heights was built in 1909. The building was designed by F.W. Burki, who chose the Renaissance style of architecture. The three-story building has 12 rooms, including eight classrooms and a basement. Cost $30,000
Melrose School, later Horace Mann School
Santa Fe School
Oakland Tribune Mov 30, 1913
Oakland Tribune Mar 29, 1914
Santa Fe School was formally dedicated in July 1914. John J. Donovan designed the school.
Oakland Tribune July 23, 1914
School Architecture: Principles and PracticesBy John Donovan 1921
New School Built
The new Santa Fe Elementary School was dedicated in February of 1960.
Santa Fe has been the temporary school for the students of Glenview Elementary while a new school is being rebuilt for them. The new school has 18 classrooms, two kindergartens, a multipurpose room, a library, and offices. It cost $809,879
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Brookfield Village School
Brookfield Village school opened for the new school year in September of 1944, the latest of Oakland’s 77 schools.
“Brookfield Village Elementary School opened without the benefit of bells.”
Brookfield was Oakland’s newest public school, which opened under wartime handicaps. Money and supplies were tight. Classes were being held in 19 portables that arrived three weeks before school started.
767 boys and girls were enrolled, just 33 less than anticipated in that first year.
New School
In February 1950, they held a groundbreaking ceremony for Unit 1 of the new Brookfield Village School.
Oakland Tribune Mar 13, 1949
The school unit was designed byConfer and Willis. The new building had 11 classrooms, a library, and an auditorium. It was a one-story building of wood frame construction.
Oakland Tribune Apr 24,1951
New Addition
Oakland Tribune Oct 23, 1957
Oakland Tribune Nov 26, 1957
In November of 1957, they broke ground for new addition costing $286,680. The new building will include a cafeteria, ten classrooms, a kindergarten, plus two special classrooms.
Brookfield Today
Brookfield Lions: Learning and Thriving with Pride.
Google Maps
The school is located at 401 Jones Ave., Oakland, CA 94603
Clawson School dates back to the 1880s, as seen in the image below.
Clawson in 1895
Clawson Elementary School was built in 1915. This Neo-Classical design had two stories and utilized extensive terracotta ornamentation. The ornamentation around its front doors. The building was designed by
School Architecture: Principles and Practices
By John Joseph Donovan 1921
The Clawson Elementary School was listed as standing near the intersection of 32nd Street and Magnolia Street in Polk-Husted’s Oakland, California, City Directory, 1918
Kindergarten
Entrance to the Kindergarten Classroom Clawson School pergola, Oakland, California (1916) 1
Principal’s Office
Auditorium
School Architecture: Principles and Practices
By John Joseph Donovan 1921
Bathrooms Boys and Girls
Clawson Closed
The building functioned as a school until it was closed sometime between 1971-1973. OUSD closed three schools in 1973 rather than spend the money needed to retrofit them, including Clawson School. Clawson couldn’t meet the new stricter seismic standards that went into effect in 1973.
New Life
Clawson Lofts Today Google Maps
After extensive remodeling and structural upgrading, the building reopened as The West Clawson Lofts in 1999.
Emerson School 1912 John Galen Howard collection of progress photographs, ca. 1905-1910
The Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley
Emerson Elementary School was built in 1913. It was designed by John J Donovan and John Galen Howard. The total cost of the school was $163,879. It was located at 49th and Shafter Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Jan 28, 1912
Oakland tribune Sept 20, 1912
Oakland Tribune Mar 29, 1914
School Architecture: Principles and Practices
By John Joseph Donovan 1921
School Architecture: Principles and Practices
By John Joseph Donovan 1921
Emerson Now
The address is 4803 Lawton Avenue. In 1978, it was torn down because it was considered seismically unsafe.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Durant School
Bids were in to build a new school at the corner of West Street. A bid of $5000 made by J.J. Chaplain was the winner. The new school was called the Durant School in honor of the Rev. Henry J. Durant, the 16th Mayor of Oakland (1873-1875) and one of the founders of the University of California.
Durant School opened in August of 1875. It was reported by the Board of Education that all grades were formed and that they had over 400 pupils with eight teachers.
In 1878 a 6-room addition was added.
Durant Elementary School
Plans for a new Durant School to be built were accepted in 1912. The old school was sold. The new building was constructed at the corner of 29th and West Street and was to exceed $160,000.
School Architecture: Principles and Practices By John Joseph Donovan 1921
In 1971 (probably before), it was determined that the school was structurally unsafe in the event of an earthquake. Bids were requested for the construction of a new school. I don’t know what happened with that. I couldn’t locate any pictures of a newer Durant School.
Views of Oakland California’. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1893
Lafayette School was located at 17th and West Street and was built in the late 1860s.
The Lafayette Grammar School was one of the first schools built in Oakland. Lafayette even housed Oakland High School in 1869.
Oakland Tribune 1905
Lafayette Grammar School was named in honor of Marquis de Lafayette, a French military leader and statesman who fought on the side of the colonists during part of the American Revolution.
Lafayette Grammar School later changed its name to Lafayette Elementary School.
A brand new school was dedicated in October of 1949. Constructed at the cost of $594,825, the new school has 22 classrooms, a kindergarten, and an auditorium.
The school was established in 1909 as an annex of Grant School, which was overcrowded. The Board of Education built a temporary structure of two rooms at the corner of Van Buren and Perry Streets. They called the school the Grant Annex.
Oakland Tribune Sept 1913
With the rapid growth of the surrounding area, it soon became necessary to build a permanent school.
Oakland Tribune 1913
In 1913 a large red brick building was built in a modern style of architecture opposite the Grant Annex at the corner of Grand Avenue and Perry Street. The new school was called Lakeview.
Construction of Lakeview School – circa 1913-14
Lakeside School
John J. Donovan was the architect of Lakeview Elementary. The estimated cost of building the school was $75,000.
Lakeview was situated on a high terrace with ivy-covered banks. Two flights of broad steps lead from the main building to Grand Avenue.
Lakeview School is situated at the head of Lake Merritt and surround by the beautiful Piedmont Hills. In one of the most attractive districts of Oakland.
Oakland Tribune Oct 1917
Across the street from the main building were two attractive smaller buildings that could not be seen from Grand Avenue.
There were manual art portables and a playground complete with equipment.
It appears that Julia Morgan designed an addition to Lakeview in 1915
Oakland Tribune Feb 1915
By 1917 Lakeview had an enrollment of 768.
Lakeview School circa the 1930s
Fire at the Lakeview School Annex – May 1937
Oakland Tribune May 03, 1937
MacArthur Freeway –
In 1926 a group of Lakeview district residents appeared before the Board of Education to advocate steps to protect the area behind the school from future development. See below
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated December 26, 2023
E. Morris Cox School (Elmhurst Annex)
The new Elmhurst Annex Elementary School was completed in Oct 1926. Howard Schroeder designed the Italian Renaissance-style building. The new school contained thirteen classrooms, a kindergarten, and an assembly hall. It cost $140,000 to build. The school is located at 98th Avenue and Sunnyside Street.
Oakland Tribune 1926
E Morris Cox School. Graham Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives
Renamed
The Elmhurst Annex school was renamed to honor E. Morris Cox, who died in 1925. Cox was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
In 1960 a new building was added to the school.
Located at 9860 Sunnyside Street
E.Morris Cox School Dedicated – Oakland Tribune November 10, 1926
Garfield Grammar School opened in March of 1887 with two seventh and eighth classes. The teachers will be Miss Murray and Miss Ellen Gibbs.
The school was named after the 20th U.S. President, James A. Garfield, who was assassinated in 1881.
Oakland Daily Evening Tribune March 24, 1887
The school was designed by John & T.D. Newsom (Newsom Brothers)
Garfield School 1893
In 1910 Miss Ellen Gibbs retired after 16 years as the principal of Garfield Grammar School.
Garfield School circa 1905
OMCA Harry Courtright | Commercial Photo View
Fire
In 1926 a suspected arson fire destroyed the school built in the 1890s. The school was a combined elementary and junior high. This was the fourth school to be destroyed by fire in nine months.
John J Donovan and Washington J Miller designed Jefferson School. The school was built in 1912.
School Architecture: Principles and Practices By John Joseph Donovan 1921
School Architecture: Principles and Practices By John Joseph Donovan 1921
In 1959 bids were open to build a new school at the same site. The demolition of the old building was in 1960.
Oakland Tribune May 27, 1959
Dedication ceremonies were held in January 1961 for the new $560,000 school. Jefferson was the 31st project to be dedicated of the 51 proposed in the 1956 school bond issue.
Jefferson School – 2035 40th Avenue, Oakland, CA
It is now the Global Family Elementary, a TK – 5th-grade dual immersion school located in the East Oakland-Fruitvale corridor near Foothill Avenue. Our dedicated staff prepares students to be bilingual and bi-literate to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Lazear School, designated initially as the Park and Division School, was built in 1913-1914. The school cost $75 595. Fred Voorhees was the Architect.
The school was named after Dr. Jesse Lazear, an American physician and commission member that proved that a mosquito transmits the infectious agent of yellow fever.
New School
In 1959 a new school with 12 classrooms, a kindergarten, a library, and offices was built to replace the old one. The new school cost $162,456.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Campbell Primary School
Campbell Primary School started put as the Grove Street School. The name was changed in 1906 to Campbell School for Fred Campbell, the superintendent of Oakland schools from 1870-1870 and 1886-1890. He was the state superintendent of schools from 1880-1883.
Campbell School looked in 1887 – Oakland Tribune June 09, 1926
His daughter Mary Campbell was the school’s principal from 1898-1926.
Miss Mary Campbell – Oakland Tribune Jun 9, 1926
In 1907 a new school was built. The Mission Style school was designed by Architect F.E. Voorhees and cost $38,000. It had seven classrooms and an office for the principal.
Oakland Tribune Mar 1907
1954 the school was closed because it was not earthquake-safe, and the students were sent to Tompkins School. The school was sold and demolished in 1954. A commercial building was built on the site.
In 1912 the first drawing for a new Peralta Heights school was submitted to the school board. John J. Donovan and Shafer & Wilde were the architects. Donovan designed many schools for the district.
Bids to build the school were submitted in 1912, based on the below photo. They held a formal opening of the school in Jan of 1914.
Oakland Tribune Jan 6, 1914
Oakland Tribune Mar 29, 1914
The old school building stood in 1973 and was finally replaced with a new facility in 1977.
Oakland Tribune March 26, 1973
Cleveland Today
Cleveland School Today – Google Maps
More Info:
California Distinguished School for 2020
“serves the very diverse and historically underserved city of Oakland, with a large percentage of students living in poverty and a large percentage of English learner”
Cole Grammar School was opened in 1878 in West Oakland on 10th Street between Union and Poplar Stree. The plans called for a two-story, 14-room building.
Cole School – Oakland and Surroundings 1885
It was named for Rector E. Cole, an early Oakland dentist and member of the city council, and member and then president of the Oakland Board of Education.
Jack London attended Cole starting in 1887. He graduated 8th grade in 1891.
Front Doors of the Cole School Building with several children standing on the sidewalk in 1908 Huntington Digital Library
Class of 1909
Class of 1910
School Fire
In Dec 1923, the school was destroyed in a six-alarm fire where one fireman lost his life, and six others were injured. The fire was deliberately set by a”firebug.” A suspicious fire was a reporter at Garfield School at 23rd and Foothill Blvd.
The cornerstone for a new school was laid in May 1925, and the new two-story school was dedicated in April 1926.
More Info:
Cole School was the headquarters of the Chief of Police from 2013-2021 (?.) As of 2023, a new OUSD administration building in under construction.
The Piedmont Avenue School, as seen below, was built in 1891.
Oakland Tribune February 13, 1892
Before that, a two-room schoolhouse was closer to the Mountain View Cemetery. Classes we held for a time at the home of G.W. Hume, who lived in a large estate where the school is located now.
Both children from Piedmont and Oakland used the school at that time. The building was designed by William Kirk and cost about $10,000 to build. The school had a bell tower with a 350-pound bell. There was a large assembly room, a library, a hothouse for plants, classrooms on both floors and a large lighted basement where the children could play during wet weather.
Oakland Tribune February 20, 1892
The school was dedicated on Washington’s Birthday in 1892.
Engraving of the Piedmont District School at Webster Avenue in Oakland, Alameda County, California, from the book “Illustrated album of Alameda County, California” by Jos, 1893. Alex Colquhoun. Courtesy Internet Archive. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
School Fire
July 25, 1938July 25, 1938July 25, 1938
In July of 1938, while the students were on summer break, the school was destroyed by an arson fire. Ten firemen were injured, four of them seriously.
This Art Deco school building has an auditorium, library, kindergarten classroom, kitchen, offices, and regular classrooms. There is still a WPA sidewalk marker in front of the school.
Prescott School was established in 1866 as a one-room primary school. It was named after William H. Prescott, a historian, and was located at Ninth and Campbell Streets on dirt roads surrounded by woods.
Oakland Tribune 1877
In 1869 a new two-story building with four classrooms on each floor, ‘the largest, and it was the most up- to- date school building in Oakland,’ with C. W. Brodt as principal, with a salary of $150 per month.
Prescott school building was heavily damaged in the historic 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
Prescott School with damage from the 1906 earthquake UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library Permalink: https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/hb1m3nb284/
New School
Prescott Primary School was constructed in a record time of 187 workdays by Lawton & Vezey, a local contractor.
Oakland Tribune October 24, 192
Oakland Tribune October 24, 1916
The new school was a two-story Spanish-style steel-framed building with a basement and seventeen classrooms.
“accepted by the school board, who considered it one of the best in the recent school buildings”
Oakland School Board – October 05, 1926
The exterior of Prescott School circa 1918 Towns (Royal E.) Papers Oakland Public Library, African American Museum
Prescott School 9th & Campbell Streets – Cheney Photo Advertising Company c 1919
Ida Louise Jackson, Oakland’s first African-American teacher, taught there in 1925 — 13 years before any other school hired a black teacher.
Unsafe and Condemned
Oakland Tribune 1958
In 1954 Prescott Junior High (name change?) was condemned for being dangerous to the students. At that time, there was no budget to replace it.
Prescott Today
Prescott is located at 920 Campbell St.
Prescott School Today – Google Maps
The school has been operating under the name PLACE @ Prescott (Preparatory Literary Academy of Cultural Excellence @ Prescott) since 2006, serving Kindergarten through 5th-grade children
Woodrow Wilson Junior High started as Mosswood Junior High in August of 1923. It was located at the corner of 48th and Webster Streets. In 1924 the school’s name was changed.
Oakland Tribune Feb 19, 1924
In 1926 they laid the cornerstone for a new school.
Oakland Tribune Oct 28, 1926
Oakland Tribune Aug 20, 1927
Woodrow Wilson Junior circa the 1970s
In the early 1970s, Woodrow Wilson Junior High School was demolished, and a new school was built. In the mid-1970s, the school was renamed the Verdese Carter Middle School.
Demolition of Woodrow Wilson School in the 1970s from Adrienne Broach
Demolition of Woodrow Wilson School in the 1970s from Adrienne Broach
Woodrow Wilson Today
The School Today Google Maps
In 2007 the Oakland Unified school district opened its first school that enrolls only immigrant students. The Oakland International High School is modeled after international high schools in New York City for newcomers to the United States. The school was still open in 2019.
This is the first in a series of posts on Oakland Schools.
I hope to display ‘Then and Now’ images of most of the schools, along with a brief history of each one I feature. Some photos are in the form of drawings, postcards, or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some older schools can be a challenging task. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated September 20, 2020
Castlemont High School
In 1863, Frank Silva purchased 73 acres of land for a farm. Castlemont High now stands on his land.
Oakland Tribune October 19 19, 1965
Castlemont High School is in Oakland, California, United States, formerly known as East Oakland High School. The Castlemont name was chosen by a student vote. Castlemont High School was founded in 1929 in a building with a medieval-style design. The school is located at 8601 MacArthur Boulevard.
August 12 12, 1929, East Oakland High School opened for $670,000. Still, the name was short-lived; by a vote of the students and faculty in 1930, the name Castlemont was officially brought to prominence before being nationally designated the most beautiful school structure in the country.
Oakland TribuJuly 07y 07, 1929
The building’s main entrance is accessed from Foothill Blvd, down six steps to the reflection pool, then ascends six steps to the extended terrace and the four-entry solid redwood doors. The full length of Castlemont grounds adjacent to Foothill had been magnificently landscaped.
The building was replaced in 1961 as the old one was not earthquake-safe.
Castlemont is demolished
Castlemont is gone.
Castlemont Today
Google Maps
Google Maps
From 2004 to 2012, the large school housed three separate smaller schools, collectively known as the Castlemont Community of Small Schools, for eight years. The smaller schools were known by the names:
Castlemont Leadership Preparatory High (10-12)
Castlemont Business and Information Technology School (10-12) (CBITIS)
Dewey School was established as an elementary school at 38th Avenue and East 12th Street in 1899. It was a part of the Bray School District and the Fruitvale School District.
Oakland TribApril 28l 28, 1899
It was named after Admiral George Dewey, a hero of the Spanish-American War then being fought.
Dewey School circa 1916 Cheney Photo Advertising
Dewey School circa 1916 Cheney Photo Advertising
In 1964, Dewey became the first continuation high school in Oakland. Below is how Dewey looked in 1964. In 1913, an addition was added to the original school, which was still in use in 1964.
The Brooklyn School was a two-story building built in 1863-64 for $5,000.
Oakland, January 20, 1887
Brooklyn was annexed to Oakland in 1872. After the annexation, the nine-year-old school was renamed Franklin Grammar and Primary School.
Oakland Tribune Dec 30, 1874
An addition to the school was added in 1879 at a cost of $3,217.
OaklanDecember 30une DecembDecember 02
On December 02, 1902, the school was destroyed by fire.
Oakland Tribune, November 30,
Oakland Tribune April 18, 1906
The new school building was almost complete when the SF earthquake of 1906 struck. The brick and steelwork were done, and the building was ready for the roof. Once the school was finally completed, the total cost was $ 204,343.45.
Franklin Grammar School – Cheney Photo Advertising circa 1912
In 1923, an oblong-shaped assembly hall was built at the rear of the school on 10th Avenue and E 16th Street. The cost is $40,0November 07
Oakland Tribune, November 07, 1926
In 1943, the school’s address was 1530 Ninth Avenue.
In 1953, the 1906 brick building was declared unsafe. In 1955, it was demolished to make way for a new building. The new school was a principal part of the Clinton Park Urban Renewal Project. The school opened in September 1956 and was dedicated in January 1957. The new school costs $467,000.
In 1956, a man, while remodeling his store, found an old report card from December 1875.
Frick was constructed on the Boulevard between Baker and Bay View (now Foothill and 62nd). The school takes its name from W.P. Frick, who donated the lot on which the school is to be built. Was then part of the Lockwood march on March 17. The school was dedicated on September 20, 1909.
Oakland Tribune, September 20, 1908
The first school was kindergarten through the seventh grade. The building had eight rooms. With the rapid growth of the area around Frick School, it was decided to make Frick School a junior high in 1923.
Frick Grammar School circa 1915 – Cheney PhotMay 30rtising
New School
Oakland Tribune, May 30, 1926
In 1927, a new school was built on adjoining land and was called Frick Jr. High School. The style of the new building is a blend of Spanish and Moorish architecture.
Oakland Tribune June 05, 1927
Another New School
In 1953, it was determined that the 1927 building was an earthquake risk. In 1957, the ground was broken for a new school fronting Brann Street. The old building was razed during the summer of 1960. The present school has been in use since the 1960-61 academic year.
Horace Mann was built between 1910 and 1912. The school is located at 5222 Ygnacio Avenue. It was initially known as Melrose Heights School.
Horace Mann Grammar School
Groundbreaking for the new Horace Mann school, which was deemed not earthquake-safe, took place in 1959. The new school was formally dedicated in 1961.
Sequoia Elementary School is located on Lincoln Avenue at Scenic Avenue. It was built in 1910. A. M. Hammond was the first principal. The building below is facing Scenic Avenue. The school’s address is 3730 Lincoln Avenue.
Cheney Photo Advertising Company, circa 1910
In 1926, a new school building was constructed adjacent to the original. The new building will have 13 to 14 rooms and an auditorium. It faced Lincoln Avenue, as seen below.
The original building was razed to make room for a new $235,880 addition, which added seven classrooms.
