Encinitas Historical Society and 1883 Schoolhouse

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Encinitas Historical Society and 1883 Schoolhouse

Discover old photographs, books, exhibits, history and docents eager to share their passion for this unique City and its history.

The Encinitas Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the City's rich past though its research, library, programs, exhibits and publications. Founded in the early 1980's, the Society was initially concerned with saving the Old Schoolhouse from going the way of so many other historic buildings at a time that the developer's wrecking ball seemed to re

ign supreme. With the arrival of English immigrants, Edward and Jane Hammond and their seven children in 1883, the town's population soared to twenty two. Encinitas still lacked a school at that time, but since the $600 bond had already been approved, Edward Hammond and his son Ted immediately set about building a schoolhouse large enough to accommodate eight grades and one teacher. As the town grew, and other schools opened up, the one-room building fell into disuse. By 1928 it had been relocated to Fourth and H Streets, where it served as a private residence for over half a century. But as the 1980's dawned and real estate prices began to boom, the crumbling schoolhouse was slated for demolition. Happily, after a sustained and passionate effort by the newly-formed Encinitas Historical Society, the Old Schoolhouse was successfully moved back to its original site where, hopefully, it will remain for many years to come: restored, preserved, and still the oldest building in town. Today the Society is overseen by a dedicated Board and staff of volunteers (numbering amongst them, the great granddaughter of the Schoolhouse's original builder) whose aim is to serve the community in honoring and preserving the Encinitas heritage.

08/22/2026

On August 8th, 2026, the Encinitas Historical Society hosted another “Independence Saturday” event, recognizing the history of indigenous American presence and emancipation in the North County area.

The Independence series will continue this Saturday, August 22nd, with an event from 10 AM to 2 PM honoring the history of women’s liberation in both the North County area and at the national level.

Attendees of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join the series of interactive events at the historic schoolhouse, located at 390 W F Street in Encinitas, CA!

08/10/2026

*Historical Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour-August 15, 2026*

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the 3rd Saturday of every month in 2026. Our tours start at 10am leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On August 15th, we will concentrate on the north end of historic Coast Highway from “F” to Encinitas Blvd. On September 19th, we’ll cover the south end of Coastal Encinitas from 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K.” This alternating of the route ensures that we can cover the distance in a slower, leisurely, more personal fashion.

We have a nominal charge of $10.00 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free! We are an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and we accept all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or [email protected] with any questions.

07/13/2026

***Historical Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour - July 18, 2026***

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the 3rd Saturday of every month in 2026. Our tours start at 10am leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On July 18th, we will concentrate on the south end of historic Coast Highway, 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K. “ On August 15th, we’ll cover the north end of Coastal Encinitas from “F” to Encinitas Blvd. This alternating of the route ensures that we can cover the distance in a slower, leisurely, more personal fashion.

We have a nominal charge of $10.00 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free! We are an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and we accept all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or [email protected] with any questions.

06/30/2026

As a part of its ongoing Independence Saturdays series, the Encinitas Historical Society hosted an event commemorating Japanese-American History in the Encinitas area. The event was part of an ongoing series regarding independence and emancipation in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The society will continue with an event commemorating the Fourth of July this Saturday, hosting interactive events at the schoolhouse from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.

06/20/2026

250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

• Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, 2026
Black Americans, re Emancipation Proclamation first celebrated 19 June 1865, Galveston

• Sat., June 27, 2026 McCarran-Walter Act (June 27, 1952): Federal legislation allowed
Japanese aliens to become naturalized U.S
citizens, overturning the "alien ineligible for citizenship" states used to enforce California's land restrictions.

• Sat., July 4, 2026 Declaration of Independence signed 1776, 250th anniversary for United States

• Sat., August 8, 2026 for Aug., 9/17
Secularization Act, Native Californians freed from Missions, August 1852

• Sat., August 22, 2026 for Aug., 26, 1920, Nineteenth Amendment, U.S. women get the vote

• Sat., September 12, 2026 for California Independence, Sept., 9, 1850 admitted to Union as free state + cityhood of San Diego recognized by California legislature shortly before California statehood.
Incorporated March 27, 1850

• Sat., September 19, 2026 for Sept.16 Mexican-American: Mexican Declaration of Independence

• Sat., October 3, 2026 for Oct. 1, 1986, incorporation of Encinitas, Oct. 4th city council sworn in 40th anniversary; also China's National Day, recognized in California

06/15/2026

***Historical Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour - June 20, 2026***

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the 3rd Saturday of every month in 2026. Our tours start at 10am leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On June 20th, we will concentrate on the north end of historic Coast Highway from “F” to Encinitas Blvd. On July 18th, we’ll cover the south end of Coastal Encinitas from 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K.” This alternating of the route ensures that we can cover the distance in a slower, leisurely, more personal fashion.
We have a nominal charge of $10.00 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free! We are an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and we accept all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or [email protected] with any questions.

06/08/2026

Prompted by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Encinitas Historical Society (EHS) invites the greater San Diego community to a series of “Independence Saturdays.” Each Saturday will honor another of the many cultures whose work and words have shaped the experience of successive “independences” across Southern California since the 1760s. In its entirety, the series will deepen our regard for declarations of independence as at once aspirational and invitational.

The series begins in June with days dedicated to the history of Black Americans (Friday June 19–Saturday June 20), Japanese Americans (June 27), and the signers of the Declaration (July 4). Subsequent days will be devoted to Native Californians (August 8), U.S. women (August 22), Californians and San Diegans (September 12), and Mexican Americans (September 19), culminating in a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the city of Encinitas (October 3).

At our 1883 one-room Schoolhouse, the EHS Independence Saturdays will invoke history, civic reflection, and personal reminiscence via vivid timelines, collaborative murals, historic recordings, music, film, and video, amid a traditional hands-on curriculum: Reading (old textbooks); Reciting (orations, letters); Spelling/Writing (proclamations, with turkey quill, metal nib, chalk, or pencil stub); Geography (of constant migrations and shifting borders)-–never forgetting Recess and gardening.

The first Independence Saturday will commemorate Juneteenth, and will feature events at the 1883 Schoolhouse, Friday and Saturday, June 19/20th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

05/11/2026

***Historical Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour - May 16, 2026***

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the 3rd Saturday of every month in 2026. Our tours start at 10am leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On May 16th, we will concentrate on the south end of historic Coast Highway, 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K. “ On June 20th, we’ll cover the north end of Coastal Encinitas from “F” to Encinitas Blvd. This alternating of the route ensures that we can cover the distance in a slower, leisurely, more personal fashion.

We have a nominal charge of $10.00 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free! We are an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and we accept all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or [email protected] with any questions.

04/13/2026

*** Historical Downtown Encinitas Walking Tour - April 18, 2026***

The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the 3rd Saturday of every month in 2026. Our tours start at 10am leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West “F” Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby! On April 18th, we will concentrate on the north end of historic Coast Highway, 2nd & 3rd Streets to “K. “ On May 16th, we’ll cover the south end of Coastal Encinitas from “F” to Encinitas Blvd. This alternating of the route ensures that we can cover the distance in a slower, leisurely, more personal fashion.

We have a nominal charge of $10.00 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free! We are an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and we accept all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or [email protected] with any questions.

Address

390 W F Street
Encinitas, CA
92024

Opening Hours

10am - 4pm

Website

http://www.encinitashistoricalsociety.org/

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