Isn't it beautiful? The Little Red Schoolhouse, in the agricultural heart of Ventura County, is less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles. It was built in 1896 and cost a whopping $2534.25, with no indoor plumbing. The school is located just outside Santa Paula, a small town in the midst of citrus groves and scattered oil wells, 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean.
The 108-year-old building is still a public school, with 55 students and 3 teachers. They added plumbing a long time ago, and have recently added a two portable classrooms. My heart goes pitter-pat each time I drive past, on my way to the once-a-month Ventura Flea Market.
My mother always wanted to convert a barn into a home. As a former teacher, I've dreamed of doing the same with an old schoolhouse, and have made mental lists about how I'd divide up the space to create a cozy place to live and work.
On vacation in Washington and Oregon last month, I saw some gorgeous old schools that are now homes or businesses. Drving home through northern California, near Mt. Shasta, we stopped to see a combination campground-and-hotel where the rooms were restored train cars and cabins.
Do you know anyone who lives or works in a converted schoolhouse? Do you have any photos of schools converted to homes?
Sometime soon, I'll dig into my magazine stash and scan some pics of schoolhouse living spaces to share. If you have any to share, I'd love to see them.
