Timber School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Timber School House |
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The original Timber School in the 1890s
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival (current schoolhouse) |
| Location | 1872 Newbury Road, Newbury Park, CA |
| Coordinates | 34°11′1.5″N 118°55′14″W / 34.183750°N 118.92056°W |
| Completed | 1889 and 1924 |
| Owner | Daylight Thousand Oaks LLC |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Roy C. Wilson |
The Timber School was the very first school in Newbury Park, California. It opened its doors in 1889. The school building you see today was rebuilt in 1924. It is the oldest school still standing in the City of Thousand Oaks. It is also the oldest public building left in the Conejo Valley.
The first Timber School was taken down in 1925. But the current building was already built a year before. It stood right in front of the old school. The new Timber School House was designed by Roy C. Wilson. He was Ventura County's first licensed architect. He used the Mission Revival style. This style looks like old Spanish missions.
The school building used to be home to Conejo Valley High School. That school moved after the property was sold in 2015. It is located at the corner of Kelley and Newbury Roads. The City of Thousand Oaks calls it Landmark No. 12. The nearby 1948 Auditorium is also a landmark. It is also Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 166.
The original bell tower from the 1800s is still there. The actual bell is now on display at Cypress Elementary School. A copy of the 1888 schoolhouse stands next to the Stagecoach Inn. It also has a replica of the old bell. Many important people went to Timber School. These include Reba Hays Jeffries and Fred Kelley.
History of Timber School
Before Timber School opened in 1889, students went to classes at the Grand Union Hotel. This hotel was a short distance from the school's spot. Most students came from farms in Newbury Park. They walked, rode horses, or took wagons to school.
The first school was built on land owned by Cecil Arthur Entwisle Haigh. He also owned the Grand Union Hotel. In December 1888, Mr. Haigh sold two acres of his land. This was for the new school at Kelley and Newbury Roads. The school had one big classroom. It also had two smaller rooms for coats. It had slate blackboards and oil lamps. A wood stove kept the school warm. The school was also used for church services. Miss Moster was the first teacher. She taught about 35 students.
The school was not just for learning and church. People also used it for May Day parties and weddings. They even had picnics there. In 1921, the original school was found to be unsafe. The school board looked for money to build a bigger school. Roy C. Wilson, a famous architect, was chosen to design it.
The new school was made of concrete. It was finished in the fall of 1924. The old Timber School was right behind the new one. It was torn down and its wood was sold in 1925. More people moved to the valley over time. So, more classrooms were needed. An auditorium was built in 1949.
In 1970, new schools like Maple Elementary opened. They were part of the Timber School District. In July 1974, the Timber School District joined other districts. They formed the Conejo Valley Unified School District. The Timber School building has been used for district offices. Later, it became Conejo Valley High School. Today, the building is empty. It is waiting for new plans.
On July 13, 2004, the Thousand Oaks City Council made Timber School City Landmark No. 12. A copy of the first 1889 school was finished in 1994. It is now at the Stagecoach Inn Museum.
Future Plans for the School Site
In June 2023, a company called MBK Rental Living bought the land. They plan to build 218 new homes there. This project is a team effort with a Japanese company. They planned to start building in Summer 2024. The homes are expected to be ready in late 2026. Some of these new homes will be offered at lower prices.
In 2015, another company bought the 10-acre site. They paid $8.9 million to the Conejo Valley Unified School District. This company first suggested building hotels and restaurants. Later, they changed their plan. They proposed 210 apartments and a 120-room hotel. The city council approved this plan in 2019. The plan includes using the old schoolhouse and auditorium. They would become offices and community rooms. City leaders said the project would provide "needed housing." They hoped it might help lower rents.
However, people living nearby have concerns. They worry about parking and blocked views. They also think the project is too big for the area. The company is currently working on a formal application for the development.
See also
