In the 1880's, Ann Adcock's grandfather arrived in the Salinas
Valley and homesteaded a parcel of land in South Monterey County.
It was located in the vicinity of what is today the San Antonio
Dam; a gigantic reservoir created to accommodate the highly profitable
Salinas Valley agricultural industry.
In the minds of many, Adam Trask's ranch would not have been
too far away. Samuel Hamilton's ranch to the northeast would
been a partial days ride on his contrary old horse Doxology.
Hamilton was the real life maternal grandfather of John
Steinbeck. He was also a main character in Steinbeck's East
of Eden. Adam Trask was another principal character in this
epic novel which was an amalgamation of fact, fiction, characters
and locales.
Ann Adcock was born in 1907, and attended a little one room
South County school. A few years earlier, another similar school
was built in the north part of Monterey County. It was located
on the old route of highway 101 at the foot of the Gabilan Mountains
northeast of Salinas. Folks called this rural academy - the Lagunita
School.
After graduating from San Jose Normal School (today's San
Jose State), Ann Adcock became the teacher of this little old
school house that was to become known around the world.
She taught grades one through eight - all at the same time.
Older students helped out with the younger ones. She said this
helped to instill a sense of responsibility.
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The Lagunita School
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Young folks also helped out on the family farms and ranches in
those days. For most, schooling went no farther than Ann Adcock's
little schoolhouse
High School and College await most graduates of today's Lagunita
School - which still operates as a small school house; but in
a newer building since the State decided the original one was
not "earthquake safe." The new building looks just
like the one it replaced - thanks to the caring efforts of a
local architect. Actually, if you peek around the corner - you'll
notice that there's another room attached in back. The
area has grown some.
The old building, however, has been preserved. The original
Lagunita School now sits near the historic Boronda adobe in North
Salinas on land owned by the Monterey County Historical Society.
It is open to the public; and has been completely restored and
set up to look just like a functioning school. Just like the
one Ann Adcock taught in.......Just like the one Jody attended!
Jody? Oh, by the way! When you visit the old Lagunita school
- stop and dream a little. Imagine a little boy seated at his
desk inside dreaming of his wonderful pony. His wonderful Red
Pony!
Because, now you'll know what most folks don't. You now know
that this was the actual school house that John Steinbeck wrote
about in his story: The Red Pony.
Originally four magazine articles collected into a book,
The Red Pony has been made into a major motion picture
as well as a TV show. It is where many first discover some of
the fundamental universal ideas that permeate Steinbeck's writings.
It is where you'll find - The little old school house known
'round the world.
© Copyright 1997 Roger Powers. All Rights
Reserved.
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