The history of San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse program Sept. 14

On Thursday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., the San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society will explore the history of the San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse during a presentation by “school marm” Tracy Lech.

Built in 1883, the San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse stands today in the exact same spot west of Beaumont on San Timoteo Canyon Road. In 2011, the schoolhouse was fully restored to its early schooldays by a nonprofit committee led by canyon resident Jerry Cody.

The schoolhouse—surrounded by expansive views and pepper trees shading picnic tables—is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated by the Riverside County Park and Open-Space District (RivCo Parks). The schoolhouse and grounds are open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

It is on these Saturdays that visitors will encounter Lech dressed in a period costume sharing the very rich history of the schoolhouse and the surrounding area known as El Casco.

The Sept. 14 historical society meeting will be held at the Beaumont Woman’s Club Community Center, 306 E. 6th St., Beaumont. The meeting is free and open to all.

Other coming events presented by the San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society include Beaumont’s Zip Code Day on Friday, Sept. 22 (9/22/23, which is 92223), at the Beaumont Post Office, 950 Beaumont Ave. The society will pass out free Zip Code Day commemorative postcards, and the Post Office will have a special Zip Code Day cancellation stamp for outgoing mail.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, the society and RivCo Parks will co-host Fall Fest at San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The day will feature a 10 a.m. flag raising, schoolhouse tours, a Maypole, pumpkin painting, local history exhibit, and live music. Entry is free, and the schoolhouse is located at 31985 San Timoteo Canyon Road.

For more information about historical society events, visit sgphs.org or the San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society Facebook page.