MOJAVE DESERT HERITAGE & CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

Schoolhouse Restoration

Schoolhouse deed donation

Schoolhouse deed donated

20 June 1998
Kathy Davis, Supervisor of San Bernardino County's 1st District, accepts the deed to the Schoolhouse from Dennis and Jo Ann Casebier on behalf of the Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association, thereby kicking off the restoration work.
Tear out wall

East wall removal

6 July 1998
The most noticeable change today was removal of 2/3 of the east wall—the portion that contains the six big windows. That point had been very badly vandalized. It was necessary to completely remove it so it can be reframed.
Insulation removed

Insulation removed

7 July 1998
There is scaffolding completely along the north and south sides of the building as the metallic tiles and decorative overhang are removed. That will all be replaced. All of the insulation is being removed. The Schoolhouse will be reinsulated with new material.
Piles of lumber

Concrete and debris hauled away

11 July 1998
Ten loads of broken concrete and other debris have been hauled off to the landfill. We are left with great piles of used lumber to salvage. There will be a sufficient amount left over from the Schoolhouse to build the teacherage.
Six big windows

Six big windows

15 July 1998
In the early morning hours the ECH crew commenced framing the big element for the east side containing the six big windows. The most dramatic moment of the day came when a team of nine raised it into position.
Eyebrow extensions

Eyebrow extensions

1 August 1998
The extensions for the "eyebrows" were finished, but the planking is not down on the front row bottom and on the south row bottom. Plywood was put up on the west wall of the classroom today, further giving definition to that huge 800-square-foot room.
Stucco repair

Stucco repair

20 August 1998
The carpenters finalized the eyebrows. All the rafter extensions and the wood surfaces are in and covered with tar paper. The ECH team put in a long day, completing much of the detailed stucco repair and finishing.
Sidewalks poured

Exterior painted/sidewalks poured

17 November 1998
The stucco exterior has been painted a desert tan and the trim white. The interior has been painted and the floor put in. The doors and windows are installed, the sidewalks poured.
Drinking fountain installed

Drinking fountain installed

23 December 1998
South side of the completely restored Schoolhouse. The tiles are all in place and painted, touch up has been accomplished, and the drinking fountain is installed and working.
Southwest corner

Southwest corner view

23 December 1998
The southwest corner. Nine years previously, restoration was a dream. Four years later, the MDHCA was formed with one of its major goals being to restore the Schoolhouse and fundraising began in earnest.
View from the east

East side view

23 December 1998
The east side shows off the magnificent windows which were originally the only source of interior light. We have created a jewel here that will grace this part of the desert long after we are all gone.
National Register plaque

National Register

11 October 2001
Through the efforts of a UNLV graduate public history class taught by Dr. Andrew Kirk, an application was prepared and coordinated, resulting in the Goffs Schoolhouse being officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior. This milestone has been commemorated with a bronze plaque posted at the Schoolhouse entrance.

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