Wandering sheep visit Anza Valley Community Library

and the property was to be returned to his family when no longer used as a school. The building was built during the spring of 1914 and was completed in September of that year.

When Cahuilla Road became State Highway 71 in 1964, the traffic was deemed to be too heavy and the school site was condemned by California as dangerous. Since the School District could not find any members of the Turner family to return the parcel to, the original school and land were auctioned off in 1964. The highest bidder was James Minor, who then gave the land and the building to the Anza Civic Improvement League.

Many public elections, church and Sunday school classes, holiday group gatherings, potlucks and celebrations were held at the Little Red Schoolhouse and still are.

In November 1991, an historical marker was placed in front of the Hamilton School as The Little Red Schoolhouse was known as at the time by the Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, or Clampers for short.

The Clampers are dedicated to the history of the old west, especially old mining areas and have placed more than 150 plaques at historical sites all over California, Arizona and Nevada.

The plaque has been moved from the original location on the grounds to closer to the road, where it remains today.

In November 2020, the red building received a new coat of paint, applied by ACIL board members and volunteers.

The mission of the ACIL is to restore, manage and enhance the Little Red Schoolhouse and Minor Park in partnership with the public, for the enjoyment of present and future generations, according to the League’s website. Both the park and the schoolhouse are available to rent see SCHOOLHOUSE, page D-2

Livestock guardian dogs protect Anza’a ranches

While these hunters fully recognize humans as the apex predator and fear and respect humans for the most part, most people are unable to patrol their ranches 24 hours a day. Fencing and other physical deterrents help, but sometimes the job of protecting helpless animal residents falls on one special “hero,” the livestock see SHEEP, page D-3 see DOGS, page D-4

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Predators abound in the Anza Valley, just waiting for their chance to make a meal of a farmer’s poultry and other small animals. Domestic livestock such as sheep and goats can fall victim to predation from various wild and even domesticated animals, such as coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, weasels,