Portola Valley School, 775 Portola Road, Portola Valley, San Mateo County, CA

Significance: The Portola Valley schoolhouse is one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century examples of Mission Revival-styled schools. Its wood construction and use of shingles present a unique expression of this popular style. / The Portola Valley School is one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century examples of Mission Revival Style schools. The architect freely interpreted the popular style with the use of false front curvilinear gables faced with redwood ship-lap and semi-circular fanlights above the front windows and recessed doorway. The exterior is sheathed in cedar shingles and redwood siding lumbered locally. This manipulation of regional materials in a conspicuous effort to execute the style on a small scale resulted in a uniquely attractive design. Built as a one room school house, it remains almost entirely unaltered, and continues to service the neighboring larger school. Its survival is threatened, however, due to its location in the San Andreas rift zone.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-187
Survey number: HABS CA-1992
Building/structure dates: 1909 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 74000557