Calaveras Community Foundation contributes $5,000 for historic shutter restoration.
Logo of CCF, lollipop tree with green background
The Douglas Flat School House is a historic example of Greek Revival architecture popular during the Gold Rush. The Schoolhouse and grounds are listed on the National Registry of Historic places. CCF helped us replace our tattered shutters with new ones that match the original Bermuda style shutters from the 19th Century which disappeared during renovations in the 1970s.
A graphic describing with pictures the assembly of Bermuda-style shutters above, and side-closing shutters abreast.
So-called Bermuda-style louver shutters, shown below in a pre-1946 photograph, were popular before electric lights and air conditioning. These practical shutters shade the top of the window, like an awning, but still let light in and allow hot air to rise through the louvers. The bottom of the windows had side-hinged louver shutters. Both shutters could be closed to darken the building and protect it from weather.
Picture of school with Bermuda-style shutters on side windows.
worn out clapboard shutters
Shutters installed by the CCC in the mid-late 1970s have no historical significance.
Prior to their replacement, the historic shutters had degraded as shown in this photo from 1946.
Black and white photo of school with decrepit shutters, missing louvers.
At least three of the historic shutters survived a prior renovation before 1972 as shown in the photo below.
A photo from before 1972 showing three of the historic shutters on the west side.
This spring, DFCC volunteers used the money from CCF and our GoFundme site ($800) to acquire eight (8) sets of Bermuda shutters manufactured by the Solano County Branch of Habitat for Humanity. The custom-manufactured shutters replicate the look and functionality of the original shutters installed on the Schoolhouse during it’s period of historical significance (Late 1800’s). Below is a picture of one set of replicas installed on the building. The shutters are in storage, until our foundation work is completed and the Schoolhouse comes back down to earth.
A set of the new replica Bermuda shutters was installed on the SE window while the building is jacked up for foundation work.
SHUTTERGATE!
In our files we found a signed copy of a letter dated 1978 from then DFCC President Clifford Johnson to LeRoy Chatfield, Director of the California Conservation Corps, with copy to then Governor Jerry Brown.
Clifford politely complains: “when the old original shutters were taken down by the corps to be repaired they decided to take them to the shop. These shutters were the original louvered shutters and had been brought around The Horn for the building. … They showed up later with shutters they had made in their shop, claiming this type was more authentic than the original. ... We very much want the rest of the old shutters back…”
Photo of letter Johnson to Chatfield, page 1
Photo of letter Johnson to Chatfield, page 2.
In 2023 we followed up with a visit to the Six-Mile Rd California Department of Corrections facility located where the California Conservation Corps had their shop in the 1970’s. Unfortunately there was no bone yard or trash dump where we could look for our historic hardware. The facility had been graded and rebuilt decades after the shutters were taken there. Alas our shutters confiscated by the government and not yet returned, are probably gone for good.
Historic and restored shutter design.
Why all the trouble? When a detailed Historic Preservation Report was commissioned, the historical building restoration experts strongly suggested the old building look as mid-1800s as possible.
Excerpts from the experts: "...The Period-of-Significance (POS) for the Douglas Flat Schoolhouse is 1856 to 1908, that period when the features of its Greek Revival style and its use as a school, community meeting place and church can be most clearly and completely understood by the viewer Under Criterion C/3, the schoolhouse retains the distinctive character defining features of the Vernacular Greek Revival architectural style, popular throughout California and the United States in the 1850s and 1860s, especially in rural communities. The schoolhouse retains its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association to a remarkable degree."
Cover of Historic Structure Report
In Closing
This season (2024-25) the Douglas Flat Community Center is restoring replicas of the original shutters shown in our historic photographs. We have eight windows to cover. The Calaveras Community Foundation awarded us a $5,000 grant to research and restore at least two sets, as prototypes for the remaining six. Due to the gracious in-kind support from the Solano County Branch of Habitat for Humanity, DFCC acquired eight (8) sets of replica Bermuda shutters!
Please visit https://www.douglasflatschoolhouse.com/ where other photos and information about the Schoolhouse history can be found. For direct contributions to our general fund for historic preservation, tap on our donate button at the top of this page.
Your support preserves the historic legacy, of the Angels Camp-Murphys area in the Mother Lode of Northern California. Historic preservation is an important economic driver in our Gold Rush themed community. There may be a California Tax Credit available in 2025! On behalf or our grandchildren’s’ children and our tourist-oriented businesses, we thank you.
Local contractors are sought to bid on the Foundation Stabilization Project - work to be done in August 2025
QR code to download project files
The Douglas Flat Community Center (DFCC) seeks qualified Contractors for the following scope of work. Bidders must have a California State Contractor’s License, General Liability insurance and Workman's Compensation insurance. The building permit will be the responsibility of DFCC.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will provide all equipment, personnel and materials to complete tasks described below in accordance with the accompanying engineering plans by WRF Engineering.
Interested Contractors,
Please bid all or any of the following three tasks separately. DFCC reserves the option to select different contractors for each task
Carpentry:
Cut out existing decayed wood where needed to install a 2x4 bottom plate under exposed wall studs. (for bid, assume 40 l.f.)
Trim existing joists to install 2x6 rim joists, (for bid assume 80 l.f.)
Install 19 supplemental 2x6 floor joists between existing joists, with blocking.
Install new rim beams and the center beam according to WRF Plans (after the new piers are cured) and secure them to the piers. School building will be lowered onto these beams by others.
Concrete form and pour work:
Cut down the six (6) existing piers (approximately 3 inches) to match the final floor elevation of the School with the Annex floor.
Install epoxied ties between existing piers, construct forms for the footing of the masonry wall between the piers.
Construct forms for six (6) supplemental exterior piers to match existing piers in appearance, construct forms for four (4) interior piers, and construct forms for both foundation stem walls at the gable ends per plan; pour all forms and strip forms after suitable cure time.
Masonry work:
Rebuild the deconstructed masonry wall between piers using original stone or similar replacement.
Information and Submittal
Construction Plans are available for download online.
To visit the site or for additional information, contact John Kramer by email DFCC1854@gmail.com or by telephone at 209 601 0517
Submit your proposal by email to DFCC1854@gmail.com or by mail to DFCC PO Box 73, Douglas Flat , CA 95229
Bids must be received by July 25 to be considered.
KCRA3 News covers the Douglas Flat School Foundation Stabilization Project on the nightly news July 2!
Schoolhouse up on cribbing four feet off the ground.
Ian Campbell from Foothill Sierra Pest Control suggested we call KCRA3 News about our feel-good story at the Historic Schoolhouse in Northern California near Murphys and Angels Camp. Within hours KRCA3 News had host Anahita Jafary and their videographer at our foothill Historic Landmark to report for the KCRA3 Evening News. Thanks, Ian for getting DFCC in the News!
How amazing that KCRA3 could mobilize up here on such short notice and put together a polished story in a few hours! KCRA3 are Breaking News Specialists! They also got the aerial shot of the Esparto fireworks-warehouse explosion, just when they planned to air our story at 7 PM so we aired at 10 PM. Thanks to Ian and KCRA3, our donations button is popping!!
Check it out at the link below!
https://www.kcra.com/article/renovations-historic-schoolhouse-douglas-flat/65271462
“It’s all about awareness” - Paul Stewart, Marketing Magician
DFCC Directors for 2026 Elected at Annual Meeting June 30, 2025
Over 30 members of DFCC showed up for our annual meeting and voted in Directors for 2026
Our Board of Directors is now:
Stewart Segale, President
John Kramer, Vice President
Jamie Mather, Secretary
Danette Fortner, Treasurer
Don Payne, Director
Bruce Calderwood, Director
Gina Galloway, Director
Kelly Mullins, Director
Donovan Hamanaka, Director
DFCC Thanks our outgoing Directors for their service to our mission and purpose:
Anne Calderwood, Outgoing Secretary
Patty Payne
Bruce Giudici
Heather Tindle
Liz Grimes
Historic School is now up!
Schoolhouse elevated on cribbing above stairs
Phase I is now completed. The underside is now clear and accessible
Phase II begins with our request for proposals to local contractors for the ongoing work:
repair & replace rotted wood,
set piers and pour new footings.
Local contractors please email DFCC1854@gmail.com to get the bid package!
House-lifting is from 8:30 to 10:30 tomorrow Thursday June 26
Come and see this classic old structure up in the air.
Help raise this historic building for its new foundation.
$100 buys a lever push to raise the building an inch!
Donations gratefully accepted
House-lifting Tickets on Sale NOW!
Drawing of playhouse on stilts
WANNA BE SUPERMAN?
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Lift a single-room schoolhouse with a finger! Get Ready!
Our contractor is ready to set beams and jacks, and begin the lift. - but he won’t give us a time - maybe … Thursday Morning, June 26?
DFCC Supporters can participate by pushing the button to activate the synchronized jacks and to watch the building elevate.
$100/inch!
Button-pushers, Email DFCC1854@gmail.com to get a notice of when to come.
Clearing our under the building to get ready for the lift!
Foundation Stabilization Work Begins June 23!
The long awaited start is here!
Monday June 23 the trucks from Phil Joy Housemoving and Levelling will roll in from Benicia with special equipment to start excavation work and set jacks for lifting our Historic Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, between Angels Camp and Murphys in northern California.
DFCC will have greeter at the Schoolyard, 1330 Main Street, Douglas Flat. from 11 AM to 2 PM.
All members, friends, supporters and reporters are welcome to come learn about the project and our longer term plans for the Schoolhouse. Information about DFCC , The Foundation Stabilization Project, and opportunities for volunteering to help.
The schoolhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, that qualified us for two historic preservation grants. Three Calaveras Community Foundation grants and the Calaveras County Supervisors have helped us along the way as have our donors, event sponsors, volunteers. Below is the Press Release with more information about the project.
Stay tuned for updates,
DFCC
A Press Release, page 1 with information about the foundation work, sponsors, etc.
NEW FOUNDATION on its way!
Building with caution tape around foundation wall
Phil Joy Housemovers from Benicia arrive Monday June 23 to begin excavating the crawl space and jacking up the building!
DFCC will be on site with a welcoming table from 11 to 2 PM with information about The Foundation Stabilization Project.
The Calaveras Historical Society has identified potential volunteers to help with documenting the changes, including the removal of about 30 cubic yards of dirt from under the schoolhouse. Will they will find truth in the legends about pokes of gold-dust stashed by teachers from bygone days?
How would you like a chance to push a button to lift the building? Come join us for a button-pushing extravaganza to be announced soon!
Notice of DFCC Annual Meeting June 30
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
AT THE DOUGLAS FLAT SCHOOLHOUSE
1330 Main Street Douglas Flat, CA
MONDAY JUNE 30 AT 6 PM
THE DOUGLAS FLAT COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE HOLDING AN ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
Members will elect the board of Directors for 2025-2026
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL CONDUCT BUSINESS AND REVIEW THE MISSION AND PROGRESS OF THE CORPORATION.
ALL INTERESTED CITIZENS OF THE CALAVERAS COMMUNITY ARE INVITED AND WELCOME