No longer satisfied with the school being housed in a packing shed, Arcadia’s parents wanted a “real school building” for their children. The city purchased lots on First Avenue and California Street and a schoolhouse was completed in 1908 consisting of two classrooms, a library and a large basement. Arcadia Grammar School opened with 65 students and two teachers. Miss Taylor taught students in Grades One through Four; Miss Hudson had students from Grades Five through Eight. Across the street was a row of pepper trees to which the pupils tied their horses.
In 1913, a decision was made to construct a two-room brick school building on the east side of South Santa Anita Avenue at Wistaria Avenue to house the First and Second Grades. It became known as the Santa Anita School. In 1923, it housed Arcadia’s first Kindergarten class. In 1933, the effects of the Long Beach Earthquake made the school unsafe and it was closed.
In 1919, an addition was made to the Arcadia Grammar School which included an auditorium, eight classrooms, a library and an out-door swimming pool. Eventually, this school became known as First Avenue Middle School.
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Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society
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