Fallsvale Historic Schoolhouse

Our Story

Built in 1935, the Fallsvale schoolhouse served generations of local families and played a central role in education and community life for the surrounding mountain communities. For decades, it functioned as a place of learning, gathering, and shared history for families living in and around Forest Falls and neighboring mountain areas.

In the late 1970s, the schoolhouse was declared unsafe, placing the future of local education at risk. In response, community members took extraordinary action to ensure their children could continue attending school locally rather than being bused down the mountain. Families put their own homes on the line to secure bonds, making it possible for a new, safe schoolhouse to be built. Their effort succeeded through persistence, shared sacrifice, and local commitment.

After the new school was completed, the original schoolhouse was left unaddressed. Because it could not be used, the historic building remained closed and continued to deteriorate despite its significance to the mountain communities it once served. Responsibility for restoring the structure to required safety standards was not assumed, and opportunities for others to take on that responsibility were not pursued. Over time, it became clear that without focused, independent care, the future of the historic schoolhouse would remain uncertain.

Fallsvale Historic Schoolhouse was formed as a nonprofit organization named for the historic schoolhouse building itself. The organization exists to preserve, interpret, and advocate for the restoration and appropriate future use of the historic structure. While the currently operating school is part of the Bear Valley School District, the historic schoolhouse property remains owned by the Redlands Unified School District. The nonprofit’s role is to ensure the history, significance, and potential of the historic schoolhouse are not lost.

Our Purpose Is Clear
To secure required approvals and advance the restoration and reopening of the historic Fallsvale Schoolhouse as a publicly accessible site for education, community engagement, and history.

Our Mission Is Strong
Creating a space that supports learning and honors history.