Watson School

Watson School is a single-room schoolhouse in Sonoma County that keeps its original features from when it was built. The building has a bell tower, double doors, and is covered with redwood siding in the style used over 150 years ago.

James Watson gave land for the school in 1855, and classes began a year later. The building served students for over 100 years before closing in 1967.

Inside, the sloped floor and raised platform where the teacher stood in front of a slate blackboard show how children learned in the 1800s. This layout reflects the formal teaching style of that era.

The school is located along Bodega Highway with parking available for visitors. Picnic tables and restrooms are on the grounds, making it easy to spend time exploring the site at your own pace.

The famous Running Fence art installation of 1976 ran across nearby ranch land, and markers on the school grounds now remind visitors of this unusual artistic project. The art piece has become part of the site's identity over the decades.

Location: Sonoma County

Inception: 1856

GPS coordinates: 38.35580,-122.93800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:13