Goffs Schoolhouse
Why it's listed
Built in 1914 in the desert railroad town of Goffs, this wood-framed, stucco-clad schoolhouse follows a Mission/Spanish Revival design by San Bernardino architect Anthony Beimer. Red-painted tin tiles cover its eaves, and arched porches on two sides shelter the entrance from desert heat and wind. Inside, an 800-square-foot classroom is joined by an entry hall, a cloakroom and a library. Volunteers built it with county-supplied materials for a district covering about 1,000 square miles. One teacher taught grades one through eight, and roughly half the pupils were children of Mexican railroad workers. The building also hosted dances, religious services, elections and a county library branch. Classes ended in 1937, and from 1942 to 1944 soldiers training in the desert used it as a canteen. Later converted to a home, it was restored to its original appearance and now operates as a museum on its original site, retaining its historic character and integrity.
Significance in brief: It was the only elementary school for the vast Goffs School District from 1914 to 1937 and served as the community's social center and a county library branch. It was also used as a canteen for U.S. Army soldiers training in the desert from 1942 to 1944. The nomination argues local significance under Criterion A in education, social history and military/defense.
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 01001102, listed October 11, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 37198 Lanfair Rd., Goffs |
|---|---|
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Listed | October 11, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01001102 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1937, 1942-1944 |
| Architect / builder | Beimer, Anthony (architect); William Thomas Waer (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Mission/Spanish |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Military, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored after 1993 and described as in excellent condition; now serves as the museum and headquarters of the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.92008, -115.05573 (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 01001102.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16994241
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.