Old Kelsey Schoolhouse
The beginning...
before the beginning
Kelsey was one of the first towns established during the Gold Rush. Pioneer Benjamin Kelsey, with his 18 year old wife and baby daughter, founded Kelsey. At the peak of its gold rush life, there were six hotels, twelve stores, twenty-four saloons and gambling houses which kept numerous gold mining camps fed and equipped, including Louisville, Irish Creek, Elizatown, Fleatown and many flats such as Yankee, Chicken, Stag American, Spanish, Union and Columbia. One of the most productive mines, Black Oak mine, produced $1.25M in gold before closing in the late 1800’s. A deadly incident occurred in Coloma when James Marshall tried to defend his friends, the Nisenan, from vigilantes. He had to flee to Kelsey to escape. Years later, Marshall made Kelsey his home opening a Blacksmith’s shop. His last home was in Kelsey.
Kelsey was loved by James Marshall. He helped get Kelsey School established. The school was not located on Garden Valley Road in the beginning. After a short time, Kelsey School was moved to its present location.
Kelsey School's Story
The rest of the story...
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The Kelsey Community Association (KCA) was formed and established as a Non-profit organization registering with the State of California on May 5, 1958. The original Board of Directors were: Earl D. Taylor, Donald L. Wylie, Juanita L. Wylie, Lynne Davenport and Lewis C. Lentz.
The property and all buildings were quit-claimed to KCA by The Kelsey School District in 1993. Since the association was created, the property and buildings have been maintained by individual monetary donations of hundreds of dollars year-after-year, and the wonderful giving of their time by dozens of wonderful Volunteers.
The school stands today as a testimony to the countless hours of time and labor of love of the Divide family—our Volunteers. There are current Volunteers who have lovingly giving of their time, money and talents for over 20 years—silently, caringly and faithfully. Bravo to each of our neighbors and families who through their faithful giving in many ways—the school continues to be a gathering community place—even as James Marshall envisioned it.
In 2023, Kelsey School will be celebrating 165 years of educational and community life!! And the Kelsey Community Association will be celebrating our 65th Anniversary. There is quite a handful of students of Kelsey School still living among us! We would love to talk to you!
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Not long ago (August 25, 2022), the Georgetown Gazette published an article written by Kathleen (Kat) Mendenhall—who has a great passion for a vigorous Georgetown Divide community. She faithfully reports on mountain activities and happenings and writes articles and keeps local calendars updated with events of existing groups on the Divide. She (and the paper) has given us permission to “reprint” this article below. It can be found online @ https://www.gtgazette.com/2022/08/25/help-preserving-history/ .
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The article below is more inspiring news about how the Georgetown Divide Community continues to support Kelsey School and the Kelsey Community Association (KCA). A great read.....
PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGETOWN GAZETTE AUGUST 25, 2022
Helping Preserve History
On Aug. 9 the Georgetown Preservation Society presented a $2,000 check to members of the Kelsey Community Association toward restoration efforts at the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is in need of a new roof, new siding, new ceiling fans and a cooling system for the kitchen.
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In addition to the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse project, GPS has assisted many historic community organizations with donations for much-needed repairs. In the past they have donated to the IOOF Hall for repairs and preservation of the hall, as well as donating to the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor #91 for cemetery repairs, and construction of the Main Street Museum that is located in the back of Main Street Mercantile in Georgetown. GPS is currently working with the Georgetown Fire Department for repainting of the Old Growlersburg mural.
The Old Kelsey Schoolhouse was built in 1858. From Guy Nixon’s 2019 Georgetown Gazette article, “The Legacy of Chief Coppa Hembo Still Lives on the Divide,” states Hill Nisenan Chief Coppa Hembo and John Marshal were lifelong friends. From his association with Marshal, Coppa Hembo and his fellow tribesmen helped to build the first schools on the Divide, including the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse. The original building burned down in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1903. Additional renovations were made in the 1930’s. It was an active school until the 1950’s and there are many members of the Divide community who attended school there.
In 1958, community members recognized the need for an organized effort to restore and preserve the Schoolhouse and maintain a sense of community. They formed the nonprofit Kelsey Community Association that has worked to keep the schoolhouse active. One popular fundraiser is their monthly community breakfasts held the first Sunday of the month from April through November. These are held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The schoolhouse is located at 6440 Garden Valley Road in Garden Valley, a short distance from Highway 193. [THE END] --Used with permission
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What's Up Now...
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Today, “Old” Kelsey School—community center, is in great need of urgent repairs, upgrades, a new roof, new building siding, exterior painting and interior painting and upgrading. We are hoping that many more “Volunteers” will come forward to share their skills and time to work on all these projects. And, perhaps, there will be some that are willing and able to donate funds that can be used lovingly used to purchase some of the $125,000 needed to complete the school renewal project.
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KCA has reached out to a number of organizations for Grants and has received $15,000 as of March 2023. KCA is waiting to hear from a number of Grant resources. A great shout of “thank you” to the Grant donors that KCA has received to this point.
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Thanks for visiting our “HISTORY” page. Visit again. More will be added. Do you have 1st person historical memories. We could add more about personal experiences. Please keep them to 250 words or less and send them to Sylvia @ kelseycommunityassoc@gmail.com. Donated photos will be considered, also.
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Visit Old Kelsey School: https://www.facebook.com/OldKelseySchool