SPHS: Beginnings

Welcome to the Santa Paula High School History blog! Santa Paula High School was built over 120 years ago. The school was originally built in 1889 as the Santa Paula Academy, a private Christian school, but became a public school and was renamed Santa Paula High School in 1891.

During 1888 plans were being drawn up for the Academy. Below are short clips from the Santa Paula Chronicle showing the progress of the academy while it was being planned.

Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, October 26, 1888

An academy is in progress (on paper); but as yet the schoolhouse of three rooms and the old building of one are sufficient for most of those who desire to "climb the hill of knowledge."


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, November 23, 1888

At a meeting of the trustees of the Santa Paula Academy held on Tuesday last, plans of the building were submitted. They were not approved by the board, however, and were returned to the building committee for alteration. The gentlemen composing the board are, Prof Woolsey and Mr. Thacher, Ojai; Revs T.D. Murphy and Shirley Bristol, San Buenaventura; Rev. E.R. Mills, N.W. Blanchard, W,L. Hardison, and C.H. McKevett, Santa Paula.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, January 18, 1889

We are reliably informed that the Santa Paula Academy will open about the middle of April. If the building should not be completed by that time, rooms will be secured elsewhere and the second term opened.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, February 8, 1889

Plans for the Santa Paula Academy are now in the hands of the contractors. The trustees will be ready to let the contract in a few days, when work will begin on the building. We have seen the plans and can assure our readers that the academy will be a very handsome building, an ornament to the town and the valley, as well as a credit to the trustees who made the selection.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, February 8, 1889

The first earth for the foundation of the Santa Paula Academy was thrown on Monday morning. The location is fine and sightly, the building will be an ornament to the valley, and the school an advantage to the town, that can not be estimated.


Santa Paula Chronicle
Friday, April 5, 1889

Our schools close on the 26th of this month. The first term of the Academy will open in the public school building on the 29th.