Cramville Schools This information is from "WHAT HAPPENED TO CRAMVILLE?” January, 1991 Second Draft, (published by the Highland Historical Society) A search for the word “school” brings up: 1869 CRAM SCHOOL DISTRICT formed from the Warm Springs District. Lewis Cram donated land north of Base Line and east of present Browning Road. It was a small, one room, clapboard (vertical plank) building. Three months of school were held from December 2nd to March 28th. $50.00 a month, and board, were paid to the first teacher, Miss Nettie Daley. Thirty-one children were enrolled, and they came from as far away as north San Bernardino, Del Rosa, and the Santa Ana Canyon area. 1870 Lewis F. Cram was clerk of the School Board, 1870-1871. 1875 Cram School moved to its second site "under the Alder trees" west of present Boulder Avenue, north of Fifth Street, and south of Webster Street Market. The students used to swim in the Santa Ana River as there were big, deep swimming holes in it, and it ran all the time. Children would fish right by the school, and there were big trees all over, mostly cottonwoods, sycamores and willows. (Frank Cram Notes) 1881 William T. Noyes came to California. He had married Miss Harriet Randall in 1861. They had one daughter, Jennie Noyes (Jennie Noyes Thompson, Mrs. Robert S., after whom the Jennie Noyes Thompson Elementary School is named in Highland on Church Avenue). 1882 CRAM SCHOOL moved to its third site on East Base Line and Elder Gulch on land donated by Joshua Hartzell 1882 Highland School District established when W.T. Noyes circulated a petition for its formation. The District was taken from Cram School (and part of Warm Springs District). This was the first official recognition of the name "Highland." The name had been proposed by Noyes and W.H. Randall; other citizens had wanted the name "Harlem" used. The first school was held in a cabin north of Harlem Springs. A one room school house was built in 1884, and later a two room school was built on Pacific Avenue and Orange Street. 1885 G.W. Beattie teacher at Cram School 1885-1886. 1886 Miss Mary Parker taught at Cram until 1889; she then proceeded to Highland Elementary School where she remained until retirement. She died in Highland. An annual award was given in Highland to one boy and one girl on Citizenship, Deportment, and Scholarship called the Mary F. Parker Award. 1890 George W. Beattie elected Superintendent of County Schools (1890-1894). 1892 It is presumed that because the Santa Fe had negotiated with the citizens of Highland School District to bring their track through Highland (if they were given a free right of way), that Highland became the name of the depot and town. Residents of the area raised $10,000 by voluntary subscription to purchase the right of way for the railroad. Because of this the railroad arbitrarily named the other two stations: East Highlands and West Highlands. The "S" was added so that the areas would not be considered a part of the Highland township. Highland voted bonds of $10,000 for a new school; in 1893 the handsome and large building was erected. 1893 Fourth Highland Grammar School built on Pacific Avenue and Orange Street. 1894 The Samuel Donald Roddick family All of the Samuel Roddick sons remained in the citrus business. James married Gussie Hancock of San Bernardino, children: Jewel, and Charles Banning. William Henry married Susan Jane Skelton. Sarah Skelton had come to Redlands with her two daughters: Susan and Bedsie, and son, Hardy Sidney. Susie came to work at a store in Highland, and that is where she met William Henry Roddick. She lived in the old Zimmerman house when she came to work as it was a boarding house in those days. Their children were: Frances and Walter Samuel. (Sarah Skelton and her son were to live in the house on Cram School grounds when the son, Hardy, became custodian). 1894 James and Margaret Roddick followed their son, Robert, to California, settling for the first time in 1894 near the Warm Springs School in San Bernardino. The other six children were: Lena H., George W., Logan J., Elizabeth "Bessie" J., Barbara, and Melville. George, Logan, Melville, and Barbara were enrolled in Warm Springs School between 1894 and 1896. 1887 A union Sunday School was held for years in the upstairs (3rd floor) auditorium at Cram School at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Baptist Church Service at 11:00. Christian Endeavor was held at 6:30 p.m. One year for Christmas the Sunday School had a Christmas Party with a lovely tree decorated with candles. Mr. Fletcher was Santa Glaus. He wore a cotton beard and as he was lighting the candles on the tree his beard caught on fire, singing his hair. There was pandemonium, but the fire was extinguished without any further trouble. 1902 Two story and basement Cram School built using same plan as in Mission School in Bryn Mawr. 1907 John Berndt Benson built the bunkhouses for Orange Company in the Central Camp, and the Filipino Village on south Church Street. Bensons lived at the foot of Mt. Harrison. Daughter, Rhoda, rode to Cram School on horse, and in later years rode by horse and buggy to Redlands High School as did Marguerite Cornelius. 1908 "Mr. Jack" was principal of Cram School and taught grades 4-8. Miss Grace Reeves taught grades 1-3. There were six or seven trains daily on the Santa Fe Loop; some went to Highland-East Highlands from San Bernardino, and some went east to Mentone and Redlands from San Bernardino. Trains were at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 Flyer, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. for passengers besides the freights. Everyone rode the train to work, to high school, to shop, to Los Angeles, the beaches - everywhere! 1909 If you rode or drove a horse and buggy to Redlands High School, stables were provided. 1910 Mr. Conrad was principal of Cram School (1909-1910) and taught grades 6-8, Miss Reeves taught 3-5, and Miss Maude McCarty taught grades 1 and 2. Adolph Cornelius was clerk of the school board (for many years). 1912 Mrs. Hunt principal at Cram School. A cottage was built on Cram School grounds to house three teachers. (After autos increased, cottage was used for quarters for custodian and bus driver). 1914 East Highlands Tennis Club organized by Claude Wattenbarger. Mrs. Eaton was Secretary, Clyde Gerber, manager. Star players were Will Lytle and Wattenbarger. A tennis court was built on southwest corner of Cram school yard. Annual CRAM SCHOOL picnic held at Harlem Springs and all went swimming in the warm water plunge. Usual transportation was in a hay wagon donated by a grower for the day, but this year Orange Company had its first truck and the trip was made in the truck with Mr. Eaton as the driver. Some school picnics were also held at Rabel Springs — across street from Harlem Springs (where Base Line laundry was located). There was a lake there for swimming. 1915 In September, free buses took children to high school for first time. 1917 Grades 1-6 only taught at Cram School. Students attend Redlands Junior High for first time. 1923 EAST HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CLUB organized by teachers and parents at Cram School (will become Cram School P.T.A. in 1986). 1924 ARROYO VERDE SCHOOL is established. This school was opened at therequest of the residents so children living in the village would not have the long walk to Cram School. The mothers were mostly concerned about their daughters walking through the groves to school. According to San Bernardino County School records, the two schools were at first called Cram: Old Building and New Building. In the Old Building Mrs. Olive Kimball Brown was principal and taught 4-6 grades. In the New Building Mrs. Maude Ofstad taught 3-7 grades, and Mrs. Wilma Mills taught 1-2. (All three teachers lived in Redlands). Joe Mujica was in the fourth grade in the opening year of the school, he attended 1-3 at Cram. The elected School Board for the District controlled both schools, and Mr. Fred E. George, Chief Engineer at the Ice Plant for the Gold Buckle Packing House, was Clerk of the Board. From 1925-1927 the same names were used: Cram Old Building and Cram New Building. In 1927-1928, the name ARROYO VERDE was officially used as the name for the "New Building." No pictures have been found of the original school, but early students have remembered the following details about the building and the site. The building was very sturdy, with thick walls, and heavy, thick doors with square glass windows. The building had many large windows, and above the entrance there were two gables. There was a large hallway, and the building was partitioned in the middle with grades 1, 2, and 3 on one side, and grades 4, 5, and 6 on the other. In the beginning there was no kindergarten room, but later a room was added behind the primary grades for the "baby" class. It was called the "baby" class, and the room had small chairs and pillows. Separate from the school building were a cooking room, with several cooking ranges, a woodshop, and a garage. The woodshop was beside the garage and the teachers taught the students how to use the coping saw and other tools. In the cooking room the teachers invited the young mothers to come for cooking lessons. Lunchtime was very special as everyone could run out and go home to eat. University of Redlands students came to coach, and a ball team was formed. The boys would challenge Cram, Lugonia, and Mission Schools. A ball diamond was on the grounds. In the spring field trips were held for the children to see the wild flowers in the area. Because there was lots more rain in those days, and there was water in the creek that ran by the school, flowers blossomed everywhere. Teachers took the children to see the Indian Paint Brush, California poppies, and other wild flowers and plants. Half a day would be spent going out and coming back—it was a real education in nature. 1927 ARROYO VERDE name is used for name of Cram: New Building for first time in County School records. That year Mrs. Kathryn K. Murray was principal and taught grades 1-2, and Miss Edith Marie King taught 3-6. At Cram Mrs. Iva Mitchiner was principal and taught 4-6, and Mrs. Wilma Mills taught 1-3. (See 1944-1945). 1934 Sixth graders were transferred from Arroyo Verde School to Cram. 1935 Ray and Mabel Moore moved from the Baake Ranch on Browning Road to the house on the Cram School grounds, with Ray becoming custodian of Cram and Arroyo Verde Schools. When Ray left Cram-Arroyo Verde, Mabel Moore became custodian. In 1946 she drove the first school bus providing elementary school bus transportation throughout the area. The custodian's house had four bedrooms, kitchen, and a large combination dining and living room. The Moore's children in the home were Harold, Lola, Barbara, Shirley, and Jim (who was born there). 1938 HEAVY FLOODS. Railroad tracks on "Loop Line" washed out, marking the end of passenger train service on the line. Ray Moore rescued children from Arroyo Verde School during the flood. 1944-45 Cram and Arroyo Verde Schools unified. That year at Arroyo Verde, Mrs. Blanche Dettinger taught the only grades: pre-primary, and 1 and 2. 1945-46 Cram School at this time was a four room school house. Rooms were crowded, and as a result the Arroyo Verde building was moved to the flat area below the 1902 Cram building on the hill. This building became the pre-primary and first grade room on one side, and on the other was the audio-visual room where assemblies, pageants, and Community Club meetings were held. This school set-up was used until 1958 when Cram School District was absorbed by Redlands Unified School District. Until this time Cram School was administered by an elected school board under the San Bernardino County Schools System. 1952 October 24th. 50th Anniversary of 1902 Cram School building. Cram School moved to this site in 1882. District formed 1869. 83rd year of Cram School. 1954 Mabel Moore ended her career at Cram School after major surgery, but by the summer she went to work at Norton Air Force Base as a skilled worker. The Moores moved to Ypsilantha Street in East Highlands. Mr. Moore will work as custodian at Cypress School until 1971 when he retired because of a heart attack 1958 Cram School built on Elder Gulch Road by Redlands Unified School District. Clare Henry Day architect. 1975 The old bell from Cram School was put in storage when the new school was built. This year it was loaned to the Orange Tree Wedding Chapel in Redlands (next to Edwards Mansion) by the San Bernardino County Museum. 1980 March 16, East Highlands Community Club HERITAGE FAIR commemorating 110 years of Cram School District, held at Cram School, 29111 East Base Line. Mrs. Tom (Pat) Camblin, President of Community Club, was General Chairman of the event. 1986 East Highlands Community Club voted to become CRAM SCHOOL PTA on February 3rd. Charter Officers elected at the meeting were President, Coronia Woolderidge; 1st V.P. Judy Postnikoff; 2nd V.P., Laurie Kautz; Secretary, Velma Perez; Treasurer, Coleen Gripe; Historian, Ellen Spilker; Auditor, Emil Aznar; Hospitality, Linda Lee; Membership, Nancy Monge; Parliamentarian and Newsletter, Pat Kohlmeier. 1987-89 Pat Kohlmeier served as Cram School PTA President 1988 Talk of changing East Highlands Schools from Redlands to San Bernardino has "community up in arms." 1989 Construction began on Arroyo Verde Elementary School at Church and Love Streets, East Highlands, in the Redlands Unified School District. Growth in the area continues due to subdivisions within East Highlands Ranch and surrounding properties The following are subdivisions in East Highlands affecting Cram and Arroyo Verde Schools: Sycamore Heights, Carriage Hill, Beattie Ranch Homes, Carriage Heights, Los Altos Terrace, Eastridge, Summit, Acacia Park, Solitaire I, Solitaire II, Palm Crest, Signet Series, Terra Mesa, Tuscany, Napa, St. Tropez, Terracina, Deerwood Vista, San Marino, Costain Cresent, Enclave, The Enclave (condos), Highland Ridge Estates, Highland Pointe, California Sunset, Sierra Highlands, Crown Pointe, Serrano Palms, River Oaks, Silver Oaks, White Oaks, Village Lakes, Concordia Classics, Creekside, and Stoneridge. Mrs. Pat Kohlmeier is Redlands PTA Council President for second year. 1990 William Pearson appointed 3rd Supervisorial District representative to the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization. Highland Friendship Garden Club donated $100.00 for trees for Arroyo Verde Elementary School. New site for Cram School planned by Redlands Unified School District north of Greenspot Road near Plunge Creek. Old Cram site will revert to East Highlands Ranch for housing development. On an Action item at the Redlands Unified School Board Meeting it was voted to name the Multi-purpose room in the Arroyo Verde Elementary School in East Highlands in memory of George William Beattie, pioneer resident of Lugonia and East Highlands, and San Bernardino Valley Historian (August). Arroyo Verde School opens in East Highlands. It is the first school built in the Redlands Unified School District in 25 years. Students have chosen "The Aztec" for their school mascot, and school colors' will be turquoise and black. Cram School closed after 121 years. A new site is proposed for Cram on Greenspot Road near Plunge Creek Arroyo Verde Dedication Committee appointed: Pat Kohlmeier, Eileen Sanborn Kay Beattie, Bonnie Kilpatrick, Edna McCormick, Marilyn Peterson, Rhonda Moses, Monica Polanski, Charlene Kempthorne, Frank Bullard, Velma Perez 1991 January 26 - The formal dedication of Arroyo Verde School. Carol Purvine is Principal, and Susan McConaghy is Vice-Principal.