Dry Valley School

Dry Valley School
Dry Valley School, 1916. Courtesy of D.M. Durst Collection

In May 1888, this school, located between Grasshopper Valley and the Madeline Plains, was established. Unfortunately, due to its remoteness, there is very little documentation.

By the early 1920s, many of the homesteads had either been abandoned or sold, forcing the school to close. In July 1927, the two remaining families with children—Conklins and Sakaris—wrote to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors and wrote, “We want back our school.” The board obliged. Three years it closed, due to a lack of students.

Dry Valley School site. August 4, 2016.
Dry Valley School site. August 4, 2016.

In 1932, Emily Rothlin, rural school supervisor recommended the school district by abolished as the valley’s population consisted of nine bachelors. The board obliged. In 1933, James Leavitt bought the abandoned schoolhouse at a surplus sale for $50.

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3 thoughts on “Dry Valley School”

  1. I hate to see these schools closed down. So many students are heart broken when they fade into oblivian. I am a person who loves the past. Dang it! Why does things like this have to fade away….?

    1. the dry valley school was moved to the wood-n-peg ranch were it remained until 2017 when the ranch house burned down and so did the school house,i helped build a room in the school house attic,we found many old school books in the walls,including sulo book with his name in it,the old termo school house is still out at termo,

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