The Dutch Flat Community Center will hold its’ Annual White Elephant Sale
and Silent Auction on Saturday, September 5th from 9am-2pm and
September 6th, 10am to 2pm.
The Center is located at 933 Stockton Avenue in downtown Dutch Flat.
The Annual White Elephant Sale provides a major contribution of funding for
the restoration and maintenance of the Dutch Flat Community Center which
was originally the Dutch Flat Grammar School. The town of Dutch Flat is
registered historical landmark #397. Local legend has it that the log cabin
founders Charles and Joseph Dornbach built in 1851 was on a flat piece of
ground which is now part of the school grounds.
In 1859, Joseph Dornbach sold a parcel to the Trustees of Common Schools
for the Third District of the Fourth Township of Placer County. In 1860,
when the town had the largest voting population in Placer County, a single
story school was built and later replaced by a two story structure in 1875.
A fire destroyed the school on July 15,1898 and later rebuilt as a two story
building similar in appearance to the 1875 school. The new school was
dedicated on December 23, 1898
By 1962 enrollment was down to 18 students and only two students graduated from the school. In that same year the Dutch Flat and Alta School Districts consolidated and all students started to attend the school in Alta.
The building is now most often called the Community Club or the Community
Center, but it is and always will be the Dutch Flat Grammar School. It is one of the most distinguished and historically significant buildings in the area and the center of much civic and community events.
Many residents of the area contribute to the event by donating items,
volunteering and shopping at the event. Laura Resendez, coordinator of the
sale and resident for over 17 years, commented, “I love to gather items folks no longer want or need and help them find new homes. During the sale many shoppers share ideas of what they are going to do with their new treasures.
Many of our volunteers have been helping with this event for over 10 years.”
Alta resident, Heidi Johnson says, “I love to cook so I provide baked goods and sandwiches for both the other volunteers and busy shoppers.
The building is such an asset to the community and there are more improvements needed to encourage people to use it. If you like antiquing and finding interesting treasures, it is an event you don’t want to miss.”
Donations are still being accepted. Please contact Laura Resendez 530-305-3881 or visit Alta’s Website for more information.