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The 1.5 acre site along Llagas Creek was donated by Bernard S Machado on June 5th 1895 for a one-room school. Charles and Leon Smith completed construction that Summer and classes began in the Fall of 1895. In 1910 a second room was added on the Llagas Creek side to accommodate all 8 grades.
The founders and trustees were Bernard Machado, William Britton and James P. Ward who all wanted a neighborhood school for the children of Paradise Valley. Annie Britton, the daughter of William Britton, was the first teacher. Erna Purcell was the first student to graduate from the eighth grade.
The two-room school was used continuously until May 18th, 1967 when engineers determined that the building did not meet State earthquake standards. A used portable building was moved on to the site behind the old school and it was used for first and second grades from the Fall of 1967 until January 2003 when a well failed.
The old school building was abandoned by the school district for classes after May of 1967 and was used as a storage site for books and other materials. By 1974 the old school was in a sad state of disrepair. Local citizens interested in preserving the original school formed the Machado School Heritage Society. It was restored under their auspices and was dedicated as a historical site on May 21, 1983.
Since that tine the old school has become a popular community center used for family reunions, birthday parties, yoga classes, weddings and other family and community gatherings. It continues to be maintained and preserved by the Machado School Heritage Society.
At the present time, a new portable building is being put in place and we hope that the Machado School site will again hear the sounds of children learning and playing.
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