Portola Valley School
Also known as: "Primary School" of the Portola School District775 Portola Rd., Portola Valley, California
Map
Coordinates:
+37.38214, -122.2282937°22'56" N, 122°13'42" W
Quadrangle map:Palo Alto
Description
The Portola Valley schoolhouse is one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century examples of Mission Revival-styled schools. Its wood construction and use of shingles present a unique expression of this popular style. / The Portola Valley School is one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century examples of Mission Revival Style schools. The architect freely interpreted the popular style with the use of false front curvilinear gables faced with redwood ship-lap and semi-circular fanlights above the front windows and recessed doorway. The exterior is sheathed in cedar shingles and redwood siding lumbered locally. This manipulation of regional materials in a conspicuous effort to execute the style on a small scale resulted in a uniquely attractive design. Built as a one room school house, it remains almost entirely unaltered, and continues to service the neighboring larger school. Its survival is threatened, however, due to its location in the San Andreas rift zone.
-- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS CA-1992)
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1974
- Reference number
- 74000557
- Architectural style
- Late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Mission/Spanish Revival
- Areas of significance
- Education; Architecture
- Level of significance
- Local
- Evaluation criteria
- A - Event; C - Design/Construction
- Property type
- Building
- Historic function
- School
- Current function
- School
- Period of significance
- 1900-1924
- Significant year
- 1904
- Number of properties
- Contributing buildings: 3
Update Log
- February 1, 2017: New Street View added by Bill Eichelberger