The Altaville Grammar School was erected in 1858, which makes it
one of the oldest grammar schools in California. Built of brick
manufactured in a local kiln, the building measures twenty-four feet
wide by thirty-six feet long. The land upon which the school originally
stood was donated by M. D. Harmon. Most of the funds required to build
the school were raised at a dance held in the billiard room of the
Prince & Garibardi building, with the furnishings being financed by
various social events in the community. An item in the San Andreas
Independent of January 8, 1859, notes: "The new schoolhouse is nearly
completed. It stands upon a beautiful natural eminence and presents
quite a pleasing ornament as well as a useful appendage to the town."
It remained in use until 1950. Left alone and abandoned, the building
was on the verge of collapse when, in 1981, a campaign was launched to
save the historic structure. The Calaveras County Historical Society
spearheaded the project, and along with the County of Calaveras, Angels
Camp, and local citizenry, helped to raise $28,000 to restore and move the school to its present site near Hwy 49. The 90-ton building was moved in December of 1983, and in 1989 the final restoration was completed. The historical society currently maintains the structure, whose front portion is generally open, allowing visitors a look at the typical schoolroom of the last
century.
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