It's not only one of the oldest schoolhouses around, it's one of the oldest buildings. And it should be saved, some area residents say.
A meeting tonight is planned to build support for saving the Vernon Schoolhouse, built around 1862, near Nicolaus. The identity of the old structure was recently discovered. The building is dilapidated but not beyond repair, according to Julie Stark, former director/curator with the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County.
"We didn't know it existed until Doug Nareau brought it to our attention, because he lives near there and was interested in saving it," said Stark.
Nareau, an attorney, has lived in Nicolaus since 1988.
"It's a simple structure but beautiful — it's one of a kind," Nareau said of the school. "It can be preserved. About 30 percent of the floor is rotten, but it's still intact."
"It's probably the most historically significant structure in Sutter County," said Nareau.
The Vernon Schoolhouse was named after the former town of Vernon, which is now called Verona, along the Feather River near the Sacramento River.
"It's south of Nicolaus in a tiny community that was a remnant of the early Gold Rush days," Stark said. "It became the first staging point to get to the gold mines"
Stark said in late 1848 or early 1849, people couldn't get big ships farther upstream, so Vernon became the closest point to mining operations.
"There were saloons, hotels and even a bowling alley," said Stark. "Early on, there were families settling there and schools had to be built."
She said records indicate the school was built in 1862, but it could have been as late as 1868.
"The schoolhouse sits on the edge of an orchard, and the owners are agreed that the schoolhouse can be saved," Stark said.
"The school is deteriorating, and it's a liability to the new owner, so this year we need to make substantial progress to preserve it."
Stark said they hope to involve more people and come up with money to preserve the school, as well as hear from more people who have knowledge about the school or old images.
People who can't attend the meeting are encouraged to reach out to the museum for more info.
What: Meeting to save Vernon School House
Where: Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County, 1333 Butte House Road, Yuba City
CONTACT Chris Kaufman at 749-4794. Find him on Facebook at ADPhotoTeam or on Twitter at @AD_PhotoTeam.
