Elvira Burgo

Schools have certainly changed. 

My tour of the 1,074-square-foot red schoolhouse in Tehachapi, California, transported me to the 19^th century.

With every fixture neat and meticulously designed, oil lamps hung from the ceiling, and a 250-year-old cast-iron school bell was mounted in the belfry. In one corner sat a student desk with a built-in slate board and a hole for an inkwell. On the teacher’s desk was a Bible.

Beverly Lara, the owner of Pineridge Schoolhouse, had a vision: to provide an escape from the world's calamities and create a happy place where people can make lasting memories. “The 1800s were more peaceful, and you could rely on your neighbor,” she shared.

A schoolhouse hosted holiday celebrations, community engagements, speaking events, and Sunday church services. Teachers were often as young as 16. Older boys missed much of the school year to help with the harvest and prepare to become farmers.  

“I stayed at home for thirty-six years to run the house, and my husband brought home the bacon,” Beverly expressed. “Ours was a traditional home.” She stated her mother, in the mid-60’s and 70’s, worked for her own fulfillment because that was what women did at the time. However, that was not what she wanted for her children. “Motherhood is a sacred responsibility from God, and we are entrusted with God’s spirit children,” she said.

Sitting on 4.25 acres, the red schoolhouse had stunning views and was an ideal venue for events, film productions, and my book signing on April 17. Please see the details on the events page of my website. 

Thanks for reading,

Elvira