KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Evan Decker, 15 and volunteer tour guide at the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society (SCVHS), has now started his next major restoration project. Restoring the dilapidated Felton Schoolhouse in Mentryville.
“Mentryville was established in 1876 when Charles Alexander Mentry found oil there,” Decker quickly quoted from memory when asked about the history of Mentryville.
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“The well –[now called]– CSO#4 was the longest working oil well in the world, it ran from 1876 to 1990 and is now capped off,” he added.
“I’m a bit of a history nut, first I was interested in presidential history, but when I first visited places like Mentryville, and saw that these building are in desperate need of help, I veered over.”
Deckers plans for Felton Schoolhouse are to bring the relic back “as close as possible” to its original glory.
“The schoolhouse was built in 1885, originally it was a greyish cream color but in 1976 it was painted red for a centennial celebration.We will clean the entire school house and put a fence around it similar to a 1920 photo we have. Ultimately it will go back to its original color.”
Decker has organized a restoration campaign where volunteers can sign up to assist him and the SCVHS to start the process on cleaning up the schoolhouse.
“We’ll start our restoration March 16 and 17, This will be the start of a historic restoration effort of this historic oil town.”
The ultimate goal for Mentryville Decker says, is for it to be the most accurate it can be, so people can have a functional place to visit and have festivals and tours.
Volunteers who would like to assist the SCVHS can sign up via email info.mentryville@gmail.com
There will be 2 hour shifts: 8-10, 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. Snacks will be provided.
For more information on The Santa clarita Valley historical Society, Headquartered at Heritage Junction Historic Park inside Hart Park in Newhall, visit their website www.scvhs.org.
For an online archive of our communities history visit www.scvhistory.org
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Article Name: 15-year Old Historical Society Volunteer To Restore Mentryville Schoolhouse
Article Source: Santa Clarita News
