Fruitvale School District, formed in 1888, bought a one and half acre site from Jeremiah and Elizabeth Fowler, and the school was built there in 1889. Lewis Gage was the first teacher. Additions were made to the structure in 1912 and 1927, and the school remained open until 1946. The building continued as an important community meeting place. Fruitvale School also stands in memory of the 13 rural public schools that played a vital role in the educational and cultural development of young people in western Placer County before 1950: Gold Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Manzanita/Coon Creek, Sheridan, Fairview, Valley View, Central, Daneville, New Hope, Fruitvale, Orange Valley, Fair Oaks, and Rivervale.