Dixie Schoolhouse
Also known as: The Dixie School
Why it's listed
Dixie Schoolhouse is a rectangular one-story building of about 25 by 40 feet with a very high ceiling, now located on Miller Creek School property in San Rafael. It has a symmetrical three-bay facade, double-hung wooden windows, a double-door entrance, a hipped roof with a central pediment, and Italianate bracketed cornices. A smaller 1864 schoolhouse is attached at the rear and served as an annex and library from 1868-69. Rancher and overland pioneer James Miller donated the land in 1862 so his youngest son could attend school nearby, and he helped haul redwood for construction. The school was moved about a quarter mile to avoid demolition. It is described as Marin County's last substantially unaltered mid-Victorian one-room schoolhouse, since others were converted to homes or demolished. Restoration has uncovered the original floor and blackboards, and plans call for a museum, field trips and community meetings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the school is historically and architecturally significant as a link to pioneer James Miller, who donated the land and helped build it. It is described as Marin County's last substantially unaltered mid-Victorian one-room schoolhouse, and the only one of its era still devoted to public use. It is being restored as an educational museum and meeting place.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000236, listed December 26, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2255 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael |
|---|---|
| County | Marin County |
| Listed | December 26, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000236 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (1864; 1868-69) |
| Architectural style | Mid-Victorian with simple classical details and Italianate bracketed cornices |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated good; the building was moved from its original site and is undergoing restoration as an educational museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.02915, -122.54647 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000236.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5284892
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.