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First Landowner in South Park area - John Richards
A substantial tract of land south of the creek, in which is now South Park was purchased by John Richards, one of Santa Rosa's first black residents. He planted fifteen acres of wheat and eight acres of barley and seeded the low damp land with cheat grass for hay. – Sonoma Democrat, July 27 1878
https://northbaydigital.sonoma.edu/digital/collection/Lebaron/id/967/rec/1
(Image of Santa Rosa Hotel where John Richards had his barbershop and bath house.) -
California Constitution - Black Student Ban
California's constitution, until 1875, forbade Black students to attend state-supported public schools. After 1865, the constitution did provide for a separate system that could be established with common school funds at the discretion of local school districts. In districts where school trustees did not vote to establish a separate "colored school," Black children could not attain an education unless they attended a private institution. However, Santa Rosa had a colored school in 1866. -
Sonoma County Agricultural Park (fairgrounds) Funded
We, the undersigned, hereby agree to pay in gold coin, the respective amounts set opposite our names for the purpose of raising $7,000 for the purchase of 45 acres of land of Mrs. Hendley, to build and erect an agricultural park. Said land being situated on the south side of the Bennett Valley Road, one-fourth mile east of the Petaluma Road, and being distant from the Court House three-fourths of a mile. Source: Press Democrat, Volume VI, Number 103, 2 December 1878 -
Conditions at South Park School
South Park School was just outside of city limits, which meant there was no fire protection or sewer hookup. It had no plumbing except for a sink that drained into a culvert in front of the school; 90+ pupils and their teachers shared an outhouse. In addition, the city health officer heard about the "in tolerable stench" of offal from the slaughterhouse and boneyard located near South Park School. Source: Gaye LeBaron book "Santa Rosa - A Nineteenth Century Town". -
1885 Population of Santa Rosa
Sanborn Map info states 6,500 in Santa Rosa in 1885. -
Auction sale of Lots in South Park Addition
Between four and five hundred people arrived on the special train from San Francisco.The hacks, coaches and passenger vehicles were drawn up in long lines. Upon the arrival at South Park they were cordially invited to partake of a lunch provided and invest in real estate.One hundred and ninety-five lots were sold, at an average price of $165, although lots sold as high as $375. The sale was a success and has added to Santa Rosa’s prominence as a booming city.
Sonoma Democrat 24 September 1887 -
Residents Request School in South Park area
Source: Sonoma Democrat -
South Park School
Located on Petaluma Hill Road near Ware Avenue.
Source: Santa Rosa History - Jeff Elliott
Article in 11.19.1887 Sonoma Democrat confirms building of school has started. Article in 12.31.1887 states 34 students are enrolled in the South Park School.
(Image is from 1909 Santa Rosa and Vicinity Portfolio) -
South Park Addition Map Filed with Recorders Office
Source: Press Democrat -
Grade added to South Park School
Citizens and taxpayers from the south side of the City requested the Board of Education add another grade to the South Park School so students wouldn’t have to make the trip to the Fourth Street School for their education. The board added to raise the only teacher’s pay and add the class.
Press Democrat, Volume XVI, Number 19, 6 August 1889 -
Water in South Park School Well claimed to be Impure
If the water in the well at the South Park school is as impure as is indicated in the petition from the patrons of the school, the Board of Education should lose no time in removing this menace to the health of the children who attend tho school.
Sonoma Democrat, Volume XXXV, Number 48, 10 September 1892 -
Petition to BOE to Address Egg Food Manufactory
Residents of South Park request BOE abate an egg
food manufactory as it renders the South Park School unsanitary.
Source: Sonoma Democrat -
First Sanborn Map Showing South Park - 1904
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Water Pipe layed on Grand Avenue
Street Commissioner Decker authorized to lay 175 feet of water pipe on Grand Avenue. Source: Santa Rosa Republican -
South Park School Students
Image from 1909, ran in Press Democrat Gallery 12.3.1950. -
South Park School Considered a Fire Hazard
School built from wood so potential of fire is high. Source: Press Democrat -
153 out of 156 Households In South Park Want New School
Petition for new school signed by153 households and 163 local business men submitted to Superintendent of schools.
Currently 100 students attend South Park School.
Santa Rosa Republican - morning newspaper. -
Plan for new South Park School approved. Weeks is architect.
Petition by South Park School neighborhood to build a new school and increase the number of grades from four to six approved by district.
Press Democrat (afternoon newspaper) -
City has land for a new South Park School
City has Land that can be used to build new school in South Park -
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades Removed from South Park School in last 4 years
Due to increasing enrollment, the South Park School has had to move grades 4-6 to other schools over the last 4 years. The old school can only accomodate Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. -
South Park Groups to work with City and County on Storm Drains
South Park residents form a committee to petition the City and County for more storm drains
to absorb Matanzas Creek overflow before it reaches city limits. -
Flood Control Requested for South Park School Area
Ditches are too shallow to prevent flooding near South Park and Todd schools. Property owners meet with City Manager. -
South Park Residents Lose Right to Park Land
Judge's decision results in prune orchard property to remain in private ownership since its been 30 years since the park was detailed in plans of South Park addition and nothing has happened.
Source: Press Democrat -
South Park only school without enrollment increase
Source: Press Democrat -
Bridge Requested for South Park School
South Park PTA wants City to Build Bridge for School
Source: Press Democrat -
Chamber Urges Council to Annex South Park
Santa Rosa's Chamber of Commerce supports bringing the South Park District into the city limits if approved by residents. Source: Press Democrat -
New South Park School to be Built
After a 9-year battle, the board of education approves building a new school in South Park. Old school is mentioned as being located outside city limits on Santa Rosa Avenue. Source: Press Democrat -
Plans for Modern New School by Herbert
Plans for the new South Park School to be provided by William Herbert. Goal is to have a modern, fire-proof school at the cost of $15,000 and completed between June and September. Source: Press Democrat
*W. H. Herbert was the architect for the Rosenberg Building. Later budget changed to $10K. -
Bids for New South Park School Rejected
The Board of Education rejected all bids for the new South Park School construction as lowest build came in too high for budgeted amount. The Board plans to offer 2-3 alternative plans to contractors in an attempt to stay within the $15K budget.
Source: SR Republican -
E. Ahlstrom Awarded South Park School Contract
School will have an auditorium that can double as a classroom, a principles office, and one additional classroom for the amount of $9,381. The new school will replace the "condemned fire trap". -
Construction on New School Starts
New structure is described in attached article.
Source: SR Republican -
Old South Park School Property Abandoned by City
Property of old South Park School has 100 feet of frontage on Santa Rosa Avenue. A temporary bungalow-style classroom built on the property will be moved to the schools new location, other buildings will be destroyed and the grounds sold. -
New South Park School Opens
Source: Newspapers.com -
Ethnic Mix of South Park Residents
Originally an Italian and German community, South Park became a popular settlement for African Americans relocating from the South after World War II in the late 1940s, and was considered BY some locals to be the "black neighborhood" of Santa Rosa. Source: History of South Park (Wikipedia) -
New Wing added to South Park School
Twenty-seven years after it opened a new wing was added to the South Park School.
Source: PD 3.17.1968 -
South Park School used for Mental Health facility
Source: Mental Health Directory on Google Books -
City Rec and Parks Dept takes over School Building
The city's Recreation and Parks Department took over operations of the center in 2002. -
Demolition of South Park School
South Park School built in 1928, was approved for demolition by the City of Santa Rosa in 2022.