Murphys, CA…We would like to invite everyone to come to the OPEN HOUSE of the Old School House in Murphys, Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 10 am to noon. We are interested in gathering any and all information that will help to enhance the building and continue sharing memories from former students, teachers and or residents.

Phase 1 of the restoration projected was completed in 2016. It included a new roof, new bell tower which houses the original bell. Phase 2 has just been completed and included a completely reconstructed rear addition with an ADA accessible entry and restroom, and a complete commercial quality kitchen. Next up is Phase 3 which will include a complete faithful historical restoration of the original main building.

With your support we can keep that bell ringing with a facility available for the entire community to use for special events like weddings, meetings, celebrations, anything. The facility has 2 rooms with an adjoining door, tables and chairs, restroom, an outside picnic area and a lit and paved parking lot.

Murphys Grammar School is a historic school building that overlooks the small community of Murphys, California. Built in 1860, it was the first public school in the small gold mining town. It was used as a school until 1973 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It continued to educate children as a preschool until 2013 when it was closed for renovation. At that time, it was the longest continuously running school house west of the Mississippi River.

Designed in a vernacular Greek Revival style which was popular at the time of its construction; its design includes a cornice held up by square pilasters a pedimented gable, and a cupola over the entrance with its own cornice and square pilasters. The inside of the building has had no significant changes and has two rooms. The chalkboards are original and are made of slate; as well as the original pine board floors. The thirty by eighty foot building cost $4000 to build and was constructed by work contributed by local residents on land donated by Dr. Jones. Originally there were no trees on the hill, so the school board transplanted a number of pines that still shade the surrounding grounds; which prompted the students to sometimes refer to it as Pine Grove College. It is located on 1.8 acres on Jones Street.