Boone's University School for Boys (1884-1915)
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The structure at 2029 Durant Avenue is the only remaining building of several which composed Boone's University School for Boys. The school ceased operation in 1915 and the building remained in the Boone family for most of the twentieth century.
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Boone's University School
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
In the late nineteenth century, there were a number of private schools in the area, most of which were not coeducational and educated boys or girls exclusively. Boone's University for Boys was one of the finest such schools in the area.
Philip Riley Boone bought the building (which was not yet finished) in 1884 and moved his school, which was already in operation, to the Durant Avenue location the following year. The school was successful enough that two stories were added to the building, which served as Principal Boone's residence, with dormitories on the second and third floors. Additional buildings and ball fields were added to the campus.
The school flourished in the 1890s, attracting a number of wealthy and prominent patrons. In 1903, California began providing state support for schools, and private academies such as Boone's gradually declined. The school continued operation until 1915, and the building on Durant remained in the Boone family and functioned as a boarding house until 1980. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Philip Riley Boone bought the building (which was not yet finished) in 1884 and moved his school, which was already in operation, to the Durant Avenue location the following year. The school was successful enough that two stories were added to the building, which served as Principal Boone's residence, with dormitories on the second and third floors. Additional buildings and ball fields were added to the campus.
The school flourished in the 1890s, attracting a number of wealthy and prominent patrons. In 1903, California began providing state support for schools, and private academies such as Boone's gradually declined. The school continued operation until 1915, and the building on Durant remained in the Boone family and functioned as a boarding house until 1980. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sources
Boone's University School. National Register of Historic Places in Alameda County. Accessed June 24, 2017. http://noehill.com/alameda/nat1982000994.asp.