Sycamore Grammar School
Residents subscribed to build a new school house which opened on land donated by Wade Hayes in September 15, 1866. It was constructed by Ebenizer Dole who also created seats for the students and a desk for the teacher. This same school house served Sycamore Valley students until 1927. The first trustees were Charles Wood and Wade Hayes. Later some gum trees were planted nearby by Charles J. Wood whose large ranch was nearby.
We are fortunate in knowing many of the names Sycamore’s teachers. After Mary Hall, A. J. Young taught from 1869-1972; Mrs. (Mary) Young taught in 1879; Ida Hall taught in 1887. Kate Howard taught from 1888-1889, Charlotte Wood from 1890 to 1921, and Grace Donahue in 1923. Charlotte E. Wood, who was a student there from 1869-1877, and was the teacher for 31 years (1890-1921).
She wrote a small history of the school in the Valley Pioneer’s 1958 Centennial edition which included this:
In its early days the Sycamore School was a public center for important events—social activities, picnics, parties, school “exhibitions, etc. A literary society, Sunday school and church services conducted at various times and occasionally a Christmas tree celebration were held in this pleasant gathering place.
William H. Langdon, who later became an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, began his schooling at the Sycamore School in 1879, then attended San Ramon Grammar School. The school had 16 children in 1865, 50 in 1904 and 66 in 1908.
Charlotte Wood wrote histories of the school which are the best source of accurate information. Because of her efforts we know about books used, teachers, special events and families which attended the school. On July 28, 1990, a plaque from the SRV Historical Society marked the location of the school on Camino Tassajara just east of Woodranch Rd.
Beverly Lane 2019
Sources:
Dotson, Irma, Historical Sketch of the Sycamore School, July 1990
Hulaniski, F.J. Contra Costa County History, 1917, (p. 213-214)
Jones, Virgie V., Remembering Alamo; Historical Persons and Places…in San Ramon Valley.
School files at the Contra Costa History Center. Notebooks with extensive newspaper clippings are categorized by school. Sycamore is Vol. XI.
Valley Pioneer Centennial Edition, Sept. 4, 1958 (written by Charlotte Wood)
Walnut Kernel, August, 1957