NRHP# 72000264

The third school in the Capay Valley, the present day Cañon School was built in 1884. Originally known as the Central View School, the first school, built in 1861, was deemed inadequate and replaced with a new school building in 1868. When the second school was razed by fire in 1884, the current building was built and the name changed from Central View to Cañon.

An important part of the surrounding rural community, the main purpose was, of course, education; but, the school also served as a community gathering place. Attendance was usually around 35 students ranging in age from 6 to 16, with the occasional studying being in his early twenties, in graded one through eight. Due to regional economics, children were needed to help out on the area farms and there was not much pressure placed on the students to continue their education in high school or college.

The bell would change promptly at 9 am, signaling the start of the school day. There would be two short 15-min breaks, at 10 am and 2 pm, with an hour allocated or lunch at noon. The school day ended at 4 pm.

In 1901, the teachers’ salary was $65.00 per month.