The first day of school…1914. Do you remember how exciting it was? Now imagine the first day at a brand new schoolhouse…
Today, my wife and I took a little Funday Monday excursion up Historic Route 6, formerly Mint Canyon Road, and now known as Sierra Highway. We came to the corner of Agua Dulce Canyon Road, and just to the West, we stepped back 107 years to September 1914 and the first day of school at the brand new Agua Dulce School house, pictured below.
In 1914, with 8 children, Agua Dulce Homesteaders, Sumner and Lula Johnson donated the property near the corner of Agua Dulce Cyn. Rd. and Mint Cyn Rd and with the help of the entire community, the original 16’x16’ schoolhouse was built and ready to open by September of that same year.
In 1926 the school was rebuilt to the size it is today and housed not only the school but all community dances and events and the Agua Dulce Christian Church on Sundays.
In 1947, the Agua Dulce School Board and the Soledad School Board in Acton Unionized or became one and it was determined the Agua Dulce School was too small and the students were bused to the original Red Brick School House in Acton, definitely a future Funday Monday excursion..
The School reverted back to donor Lula Johnson where it sat empty for two years until Lula donated it to the United Christian Church of Agua Dulce Canyon with the stipulation that it remained a church, see 1951 picture above, serving the spiritual needs of the community, and so it has remained throughout the years. Today it is the home of the nondenominational Shepherd Church Agua Dulce.
It was so much fun turning the corner onto Agua Dulce Cyn Rd and stepping back over 100 years and not only finding the spiritual beginnings but also the educational beginnings of the community of Agua Dulce. So, there’s a little history for y’all.