Outhouse Rescue Project

Historic photo (circa 1900) of schoolchildren in front of school with little outhouse behind

Historic Gold Rush Architecture always included an outhouse. (We now have a modern flush toilet in our annex, but the schoolhouse had no indoor plumbing for much of its useful life.) Photographs of the Historic Douglas Flat Schoolhouse show at least two different outhouses in the northeast corner of the school grounds.   

Historic photo (circa 1950) of the schoolhouse with a different outhouse in the same location

Our old outhouse behind the school was falling down. While the old wreck stimulated imaginings about what it was like when great-grandpa contemplated boards other than the school chalkboard, it was not the tantalizing history-teaser we wanted at our unique wedding venue; not even as a joke photo op.  People wouldn’t even peek in on Halloween!

Falling down outhouse

 The old outhouse was about to fall over and was propped up by a 2x4 brace. Parts of the roof were missing.

This potentially fun feature could be visited by many curious individuals seeking a peek at the Schoolhouse life that was.

Enter the historic preservation crew of DFCC!

Architect Val Belli offered some inspiration in the form of a plan.

An architectural drawing of the outhouse rebuild plan.

The Outhouse Rescue Project team of Gerry Waagen, Tim Laddish and John Kramer took it on. Employing our best understandings of the Secretary of Interior Standards for preservation we re-leveled the concrete pad. Tim removed and rebuilt the seat, John de-constructed the building.

Looking down from above one can see that the tree was growing into the corner, pushing it over from year to year. To rebuild it plumb a corner of the broken fiberglass roof had to be cut away due to the growth of the tree! How big was that tree in 1950?

Looking down on the roof framing from above.

Roof framing on the ground with old outhouse behind.

Rotted sole plates were replaced with treated lumber. But solid original material was left in place.

Walls were re-assembled with the same boards.

Then, walls were rebuilt and set up plumb and braced.

Our reconditioned outhouse included some old tin roofing that replaced some of the the original cracked fiberglass. We saved one original piece to provide light.

The Historic Douglas Flat Schoolhouse Outhouse, ready for another load in the Motherlode.

Check out the interior decor next time you stop by. Our curator of historic artifacts found some nice Sears catalogues for paper supplies… Don’t fight over a chance to use it.

Kids in Halloween costumes line up for photos at the outhouse.

The Douglas Community Center Needs You!

The Schoolhouse is full of fascinating projects like this for energetic do-gooders like you. Volunteer your time to run a workshop on outhouse restoration, take mock-up western style photos for guests in our Miner’s Cabin display, glaze windows, repair irrigation, hang gates, rebuild a foundation or thousands of other gratifying tasks. Life is rich when you have purposeful activity. To volunteer, contact us at DFCC1854@gmail.com

Calaveras Community Foundation helps us preserve the schoolhouse for future generations.

Orange sunset behind the old schoolhouse

Douglas Flat Community Center is proud to announce a $5,000 grant from Calaveras Community Foundation to help fund our Preservation Treatments for the historic Schoolhouse near Murphys and Angels Camp.

Scope of Work

The 2023 CCF Grant money will be used to obtain a building permit for foundation work and fund improvements to the gate of the historic property. Historic preservation of the Schoolhouse follows a Preservation Treatment Plan prepared by Mineweaser and Associates (funded in part by Ruby Parlor #46 of the Daughters of the Golden West). The Historic Structure Report with fascinating historic photos researched by local historian Judith Marvin, and the Preservation Plan with Architect’s prioritized recommendations can be downloaded by selecting the button below. All recommended preservation treatments follow the Secretary of Interior Standards (SIS) for Preservation of Historic Structures.

Historic Context

The Douglas Flat School was built between 1854 and 1856 as a school, church, and community meeting hall. It still serves the community as an affordable meeting hall and unique venue for super cool weddings, reunions, parties and special events today! The Douglas Flat School is a registered historic place and is a remarkably well-preserved example of pioneer craftsmanship and Gold Rush architecture. Time has taken a toll. Settlement of the walls has created stresses that slowly degrade the structure and will eventually lead to its collapse.

What Can Be Done to Save it?

The architect's recommendation is to lift the entire building, excavate the required minimum crawl space, replace damaged wood, reinforce the floor supports, pour a continuous footing and foundation, then lower the building and secure it before doing other preservation work.

 The CCF grant will advance the foundation rebuild project to a “shovel ready” status by allowing DFCC to obtain a building permit for the work. Other work funded by the CCF money will include a rebuild of the front gate and culvert that need improvement before equipment can access the project.

Architectural sketch of foundation wall with photo of tumbled foundation stones under the building

The Community is coming together around the Historic Schoolhouse.

The Schoolhouse has become a true symbol of community cooperation with many volunteers and professionals stepping forward to contribute time and expertise to this effort. Doug Oliver from the Calaveras County Building Department is cooperating with our work applying the SIS and historic building codes. DFCC has contracted with Terry Weatherby, a local Structural Engineer familiar with historic buildings to provide design support. His firm, WRF stamped our plans created by Mike Borean Design.

We are proud and happy!

We are proud and happy to be among the many worthy recipients of CCF’s generosity. CCF also supported DFCC’s efforts to preserve and protect this remarkable building in 2021 with a $10,000 grant for underground electricity, installed by Gold Electric.

Boy Scouts saluting the American flag in front of the Historic Douglas Flat School

Help us Preserve our Gold Rush Heritage.

DFCC is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to maintain and operate the Douglas Flat Schoolhouse for use by the community. DFCC’s purpose is “to preserve and beautify the school grounds and enrich our community by encouraging social gatherings for the benefit, amusement, recreation, pleasure, and inspiration of people of Douglas Flat and Calaveras County”. DFCC derives revenues from rental of the building as a venue for unique special events, weddings, film locations, and meetings. DFCC also seeks donations to protect our endangered gold rush history. Our foundation rebuild project budget is $70,000 and other preservation work is needed. Come support us at our annual June fundraising dinner dance catered by The V Restaurant and Bar; or give generously to preserve this Gold Rush architectural legacy.

For information about renting the schoolhouse or donating to its preservation, please explore our web page, tps://www.DouglasFlatSchool.org , visit us on Facebook, or email to DFCC1854@gmail.com.

Read the Calaveras Enterprise article about efforts to preserve our historic Gold Rush architecture

Thanks to the Calaveras Enterprise for a fabulous article on our fundraiser for the Douglas Flat School House. It takes a community to save our Gold Rush architecture and preserve Northern California history. Thanks to all from the surrounding communities of Murphys and Angels Camp who turned out and made this event a great success.
Read the article