MENDOCINO CO., 3/31/26 — For nearly 50 years, the historic Manchester Schoolhouse stood unoccupied, its hipped roof and old-growth redwood walls slowly giving way to the elements. Constructed in 1907, the two-story building served the Manchester community for 70 years, acting as a school, town hall, auditorium and even polling place during its time as a public space. Its simple rural design in combination with Victorian and Greek Revival elements makes it a prime example of 20th century North Coast schoolhouse architecture.
Efforts to preserve the schoolhouse began as soon as the building was retired from public use. In 1976, the Save Manchester Schoolhouse Association formed after plans were made to demolish it to make way for the current Manchester Elementary School’s building. The coalition managed to save the schoolhouse by moving the structure less than a quarter mile down the road. The group was also able to submit the schoolhouse into the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
In its application to the national register, the association refers to the schoolhouse as “literally the `heart of Manchester’” and notes that the building “is significant as the only public building in Manchester surviving from the days when coastal logging was a prolific and flourishing industry.”
In 1980, the schoolhouse was bought by a retired school nurse, Joan Murray. After its purchase, the building remained fallow, raising concerns that the structure might decline beyond repair.
“The last classic old schoolhouse on the coast is in danger of being lost,” wrote Cheri Carlstedt and Steve Oliff in their popular history book, The Early Days of Point Arena (2005). “Perhaps something can be done to preserve this treasure, but it remains to be seen if the owner can be persuaded to do so.”
Over 20 years later, there’s fresh hope for the building
This year, the schoolhouse was offered salvation. The building was put on the market in May, 2025, and this January, Lauren Dowling, a mother who works in the nonprofit sector, purchased the property. The new owner had been looking for a coastal home for her and her family to reside.
In a statement emailed to the Mendocino Voice, Dowling shared her feelings around acquiring the historic site. “The experience has brought a lot of magic into my life — from the supportive neighbors, to enjoying mundane discoveries like a schoolkid’s graffiti in the intact chalkboard trays,” wrote Dowling.
Restoring a century-old building comes with unique challenges. Construction plans must be approved by the California State Historic Preservation Office and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines. Dowling must also recruit experts versed in archaic building techniques to conduct a proper restoration.
At the moment, Dowling is still in the early phases of restoration, which focuses on hazard mitigation and the prevention of further decay. This includes pest control and lead paint and asbestos removal.
Before she starts on the actual construction, Dowling is learning as much as possible about the building’s history, and that knowledge will affect her design choices.
“I’m aware the building is more than mine, and I plan to approach it with that respect,” said Dowling.
Keeping with her historically minded mission, she plans to paint its brown facade a pale yellow after learning from a former student that the exterior used to have a “buttercream” color. Dowling was even able to find old buttercream paint chips and documented that shade to find a match. She also plans to paint the interior with shades that reference existing walls or previously unexposed layers of paint.
As the project has developed, Dowling has begun to see herself as a steward of the schoolhouse who must also recognize its complicated past.
“The building still stands in large part because it was constructed with old growth redwood that was accessible because of the ecological stewardship of the indigenous Pomo since time immemorial. They were likely not consulted as these irreplaceable trees came down,” acknowledged Dowling.
“It’s a historic but still very relevant complexity I would like to find a way to honor.”
Dowling hopes to begin renovations in June. She cautions that all land and access roads surrounding the property are private. For safety and security, unauthorized entry is prohibited.