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No one knows for sure the exact date of the founding of the
Peninsula Union School District. The first schoolhouse was
established in the town of Fairhaven and was probably built
around 1875. |
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The first school was named Fay
Elementary. During its
existence it served as a school, a bunkhouse for local
lumbermen and, in its later years, as a church for the
Fairhaven community. Fay Elementary can be seen in this
photo, taken around the turn of the century. |
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Another school prominent on the Samoa Peninsula was the
Samoa School.
It was built about a quarter of a mile from the beach in
the town of Samoa on a magnificent rise overlooking
the ocean. It was build around 1903. It, along with the Rolf
Elementary School, served the Peninsula students until 1962
when the new school was dedicated. |
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Rolph
Elementary School, named for James Rolph Jr., a local
businessman, replaced Fay Elementary and Samoa Elementary
around 1917. It too was built in the community of Fairhaven
and served the students along the southern peninsula and
lasted until 1962. Today it serves as the Fairhaven Fire
Department. |
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The present school, built in 1962, is located in the small
community of Samoa and serves the students of Fairhaven,
Finntown, and Samoa. Many students from the small community
of Manila opt to come to Peninsula Elementary School rather
than be transported the distance to Arcata. |
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