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Citrus Heights Messenger

New Chapter Begins for Citrus Heights' Old Schoolhouse

Feb 02, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Elise Spleiss

The old Citrus Heights schoolhouse was built in 1862; this year is its 160th anniversary. Photo provided by Betty Jo Miyashiro

New Chapter Begins for Citrus Heights' Old Schoolhouse [5 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - It is appropriate that the latest transformation of the old Citrus Heights one-room schoolhouse built in 1862 take place the year of its 160th anniversary.  It has been the home to the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center since 2013.

A new chapter in its long history began this year, in 2022. This date also continues the legacy of Jim Rounsevell who purchased the property at 6921 Sylvan Road with his wife Jeanne in 2013 to create a safe place for veterans. Rounsavell passed away March 4, 2021. At his Celebration of Life at the Center on July 17, then Mayor Steve Miller said of him, “If these walls could talk, they would say, “thank you Jim for mending us, and creating a welcoming place for our veterans. Jim has joined a long, esteemed and notable line of city pioneers, and will be missed by all; his impact on our community will be eternal.” This chapter continues with his dream.

Work inside and out at the location has been ongoing since 2013. The present complete interior makeover began two weeks prior to Christmas and was completed just before Christmas, with the Center reopening mid-January.  This latest renovation created a much more open, brighter and inviting feeling in the large room, thanks to a new paint job, new ceiling tiles and bright LED lighting. The stage area is the next project to be tackled.

In 1862 Abraham Lincoln was president and the Civil War was being fought throughout the east. According to the history of Citrus Heights on its website, “Gold Rush seekers had poured into California seeking fortune, but by the late 1850s many were raising families and working the land. As more families put down roots in the fertile soil, the need for a schoolhouse soon arose. The original location the schoolhouse was on five acres of land on the northwest portion of Sylvan Corners,” before it became Citrus Heights.

A much older city pioneer, John Cross, of the Crosswood’s neighborhood, was a carpenter who helped build the first schoolhouse. His wife, Sarah, served as the first teacher. He called the center a “temple of learning.” Cross’s daughter Lilian describes the history of the school in a 1943 document titled “Sylvan Recollections.”  She says, “It had become the civic, social and religious center,” as there was no television or radio, and residents had to create their own entertainment.  In its day the one room met the needs of the community. However, Center Vice President Michelle Grant explained in an email that despite community interest in renting the building for functions, it’s use will remain private. Its purpose is outlined in their Articles of Incorporation as a nonprofit which prohibits rentals or other uses.

Improvements to the original schoolhouse were made over the years, with pillars and a cupola added in 1903. A second building was added in the early 1920s to accommodate the growing student population When a third building was added in 1927, the old schoolhouse was sold as surplus property and purchased by the Citrus Heights Community Club, which moved the building a quarter-mile south from its original location onto land owned by the Van Maren family on Sylvan Road. As costs to maintain the aging building became prohibitive, it was put up for sale. When the Rounsevells saw the ‘For Sale’ sign, they knew this was the answer to Jim’s dream of creating a home away from home “for our veterans.”  One of the walls in the Center contains Cross family memorabilia, including the creation of the Crossword communities on Auburn Boulevard near Sylvan Road.

The next decade in the history of the schoolhouse began in 2013 as the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center was created. With it came a “village” of community members, businesses and many others eager to donate their time, energy and expertise to see Jim’s dream come to fruition. Many improvements including new bathrooms and major outdoor improvements have been made since then. 

Vet Center board member Vince Robles thanks Hewlett Packard Enterprises for referring the Center to the Sacramento Veterans Employer Resource Group (SacVERG). SacVERG board members Liliana Bernal and Justin Iodence, a veteran, worked together with Bullard Construction to provide the services of BM Painting, Inc., Sacramento, Valley Electric, and Pat Baird Acoustics Inc. (Rocklin) at no cost to the Center.  IDD Flooring replaced all the flooring in the main hall and kitchen. Bernal also made a generous financial contribution to the Center.

The bright modern look is also thanks to the new Community Relations director Betty Jo (BJ) Miyashiro who coordinated the interior design and front and back landscaping. She donated her time and the supplies for the project.

For more information or to volunteer or donate items [email protected]