Local history combines with personal memories as our Funday Monday continues in Acton Ca.
Located just east of downtown Acton on Crown Valley Rd is the old Acton school that today houses the Acton Agua Dulce School District offices. Built in 1938, the first section of the new Acton School replaced the original red brick Soledad School built in 1890 and located just a few blocks to the west.
The new Acton School, complete with an auditorium, was built by the United States Works Progress Administration, part of the New Deal ordered by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt and employing millions of jobseekers to build projects across the country following the Great Depression.
The school bell, added to the original red brick schoolhouse in 1892 and used daily to signal the start of school and the end of recess, was moved to the bell tower at the new school for opening day 1939 where it continued to ring daily and where it can still be seen today.
The second section of the school with additional classrooms was built in 1949 and the third section in 1952. So many memories came flooding back as I took Colleen on a tour of my old school. Having grown up in Agua Dulce and attended Agua Dulce Elementary through the 5th grade, I was transferred to the Acton School in 1972 for 6th thru 8th grades.
Of course, I had to point out the Principal’s office, located in the original first section of the school, where I received swats for throwing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at a friend and hitting the noon aid Mrs. Mosely instead, Ouch!
I also pointed out the auditorium where we attended the Friday evening school dances, and even Mrs. Davis’ 6th-grade classroom, located in the second section of the school, Algebra… Ugh!
It was so much fun stepping back in time, seeing so much history, and even remembering some personal fun times from so long ago. Happy January to all, stay safe.
