La Jolla School Named a Landmark
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The old La Jolla School and gymnasium buildings have been designated city historical landmarks.
The McFadden Park structures did not qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, but the City Council agreed that the school buildings were significant enough to merit addition to Placentia’s list of historical buildings.
The school, which opened in 1927, is noteworthy because of its role after a flood that swept through the community on March 3, 1938, killing 19 people.
Chester Whitten, principal at the time, sheltered nearly 400 people in the school buildings until help arrived and is credited with saving many lives.
The city bought the school in 1979 to serve as a sports and recreation facility.
Four classrooms, an administration building and the gym remain of the original buildings.
--BY DEBRA CANO, HOPE HAMASHIGE AND JOHN POPE
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