Johnstonville School was one of the original Lassen County school districts established in 1864, but was originally named Susan River School District.  In February 1878, the name was changed to Johnstonville. On January 20, 1961, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to build a new school to replace the old one. School board members, Harry Reuck, Mary Barr and Leroy Cramer, broke the ground for a new four-room schoolhouse which would cost the district $134,518.

In 1963, the school district deemed the old school surplus property. The school had. been remodeled over the years to include two rooms, kitchen and bathrooms. The property sat on eight tenths of an acre. On December 9,  1963 was the date set for a public auction. Minimum bid $5,000. No one was interested and the matter was referred to the State for guidance. On February 10, 1964, the district receive an offer of $4,300 from J.D. Leitaker.

Tim