This story starts with a friend renovating some property in Amado, AZ. The interior of the home was unique, furnished with an eccentric style and original adobe. The property was on Amado Montosa Rd and peaked my interest. It was likely the property was part of an old Valenzuela family homestead. They said Amado schoolhouse and I tumbled down the rabbit hole.

Amado or Amadoville, AZ became a hub for the miners, cattlemen and farmers to move their products along the Southern Pacific Rail Road. The Amado family ranched the area since 1852 and had a stage station before the rail road. Around 1899 Antonio Amado filed for 160 acres near the Santa Cruz River. By 1911 Demeterio Amado established commission forwarding business and solicits consignments of freight to Arivaca and Oro Blanco area.¹

Several other ranchers and farmers started to formally put up homestead entries since the land grant issue had been settled 1895. The main throufare was along the railroad with the stockyard, store and old stage station, serving as a post office and telegraph station. Later the Otho Kinsley ranch became a popular spot to socialize. The Cow Palace bar is an original room from the old Kinsley ranch.

The small communities of Sopori, Arivaca Junction and Amado fall along the Pima County and Santa Cruz County border. The children from Pima County went to the Old Sopori Schoolhouse located on Arivaca Rd, and children from Santa Cruz County went to the Amado Schoolhouse.² For visual reference, here is a 1920 Arivaca topo map. Amado is middle-right on the map.

A new school district, Amado School District No. 29 was formed in 1911.³ A 1913 papers states 20 children attended school at Amadoville, unknown where the school was located. It shows attendance for nearby Cerro Colorado but not Sopori school.⁴ 1916 Prof A J O’Conner was in charge of Amadoville schools.⁵ 1917 Miss Minnie Whipple was the teacher at Amadoville school.⁶ The nearby Sopori school and a school called “Proctor School” had an estimated property values listed in 1919.⁷ No Amado school listed. About this time, widow, Jesus Proctor Elias lived about 5 miles west of the junction and about 5 miles east of the old Sopori School. One of the ranch buildings off of Arivaca Rd could have been used for a temporary school and polling purposes. In 1920, Mrs H H Bragg had the teaching duties at the Proctor school near Amadoville.⁸ As Amado grew it was apparent a dedicated school would need to be built. Here is where my Valenzuela line comes in.

Valenzuela

Francisco “Papa Kiko” Pasos Valenzuela (1865-1947) and Benigna “Mama Nina” Bartlett Valenzuela (1873-1943) moved from Oro Blanco, AZ towards Amado, AZ in the early 1900s. A Nogales 1904 paper states Juan B Elias (1876-1936) has leased land to Francisco P Valenzuela for the last two years.⁹ 1908 Francisco Valenzuela is listed as one of the families with a fine location in the Sopori region along with Gertrudes Elias, Juana Elias, Tomas Elias, Juan B Elias and Ramon Elias.¹⁰ 1910 F P Valenzuela had interests in Oro Blanco with 2 mines in the Old Hat District.¹¹ These mines could be related to Mama Nina’s father, John “Yank” Bartlett who had worked in the Oro Blanco area for over 30 years before his death in 1905.  1910 Census states F P Valenzuela’s brother-in-law, Oracio M Ward (1867-1918) as a hired man, miner living with Kiko and Nina. 1911 F P Valenzuela put in a bid for roadwork from Oro Blanco southwest to Montana Camp.¹²  Montana Camp is now known as Ruby, AZ.  1912 F P Valenzuela is listed in Santa Cruz county demands to be audited and approved, attributed to roadwork.¹³ 1912 he filed a final proof of homestead entry (No 03212) for 160 acres Township 20S; Range 12E; parts of section 1 and 2.  This property is on the west side of present day I-19. Unknown if anything Valenzuela remains on this property.

In 1915 one of his sons, Francisco B Valenzuela (1891-1988), claimed part of sections 1 and 12 totaling 150 acres (No 013189). This area is shares a boundary with his parents and crosses from west to east of I-19. Family lore was Francisco B “Tata Frank”, donated the land near Amado Montosa Rd to have the schoolhouse built. (But it could have been his mother, Mama Nina that had the land.) There are adobe ruins still on the property that we believe to be the home of Papa Kiko and Mama Nina. Tata Frank built another adobe south of his parents with his uncle Oracio M Ward in 1916. Tata Frank moved his family to South Tucson after 1924 but other members of the Valenzuelas stayed nearby. Some even attended the schoolhouse built on the family land.¹⁴ Tata Frank’s adobe became the grocery store / post office owned by Clyde Boozer and now Luna’s Auto Service. The 1924 schoolhouse is now a private residence. (Note: Olga said the “remains” were the old house built by her dad and Oracio 1916. – Will update with progress)

The School

Early community based information was not easily accessible on the Amado schoolhouse. After this chance opportunity with the latest owners I was determined to gather the facts. The architect, Annie Rockfellow and the later use by the Mt Hopkins Smithsonian Observatory were well documented. Below are items that were harder to track down.

The schoolhouse usually had two teachers with a place for the teacher to live. At times it would be a husband and wife. Students had small chalkboards to do their numbers. In 1940, a school paper or newsletter was published called “The Black Widow”. It contained events or short stories about the students.¹⁵ Similar to the “Little Cow Puncher”, Mrs Eualia Bourne started at the Sopori School.

Photos

Link to Boozer’s Grocery store photo, shows portion of Amado schoolhouse in background. Herbert, Charles H., U.S. Post Office and Boozer’s Grocery store in Amado, Arizona., [MS1255 Box 10 F. 105/G]. Arizona Memory Project, accessed 25/01/2023, https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/64934

Newspaper Articles

Arizona Daily Star 10/22/1922 Page 9 – Health day for Amado school children.

Border Vidette 04/12/1924 Page 3 – School bonds sold to Southwest Finance Company of Raton New Mexico. $10k plus interest. Building contract awarded to Frank Lown and Tom Woods.

Border Vidette 06/21/1924 Page 3 – Frank Lown and Tom Woods, local contractors. Building will begin soon. Bonds $10k previously voted on.

Border Vidette 09/13/1924 – Mr S T Dowen, Principal and Miss Jessie Hale New, teacher.

Border Vidette 01/26/1926 Page 1 – Amado schoolhouse used for poultry demonstration.

Arizona Daily Star 04/27/1926 – A dance is held at Amado schoolhouse.

Border Vidette 07/07/1934 Page 3 – Local clean up by L. T Frazier and 20 men. Amado Schoolhouse grounds cleared.

Nogales International 09/22/1934 Page 5  – Amado school is open with Principal Mrs Hannah Webster.

Nogales International 01/12/1935 Page 1 – George Fenely new trustee.

Nogales International 06/22/1935 Page 3 – School doubles as Sunday school by Mrs Fenley.

Nogales International 11/02/1935 Page 5 – New trustee Mrs. Bertha Shoeffer.

Nogales International 11/23/1935 Page 7 – Board ordered taxes removed for Amado School District.

Nogales International 05/08/1937 Page 2 – Graduation for districts. Amado: Joe Parrales Robles, Ysaura V. Valenzuela, Guadalupe N. Sanchez, Tony A. Salcido, Daniel C. Navarette, Lucile Marie Sheaffer, Armida P. Leon, Amelia Juarez and Filiberto V. Verduzco.

Nogales International 09/28/1940 Page 1 – School newsletter “The Black Widow”, Volume 3 states, Joe Fenley struck his index finger with a hammer and Gus was struck in the face when chopping wood.

Nogales International 03/22/1941 Page 5 – Bond transfer for Amado School District No 13.

Nogales International 09/15/1944 – Teacher vacancy filled by Miss Pauline Erdman and another.

Board Members, Board Clerks, Trustees and Staff from 1924-1963

Arizona Educational Directory, 1923-1924. Arizona Memory Project, https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/146659

1924-25
R.L. Mason – Clerk; Mr S.T. Downen – Principal; Mrs Jesse Hale New – Teacher

1925-26
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; Mr S.T. Downen – Principal & 4-8 grades; Rita Maloney – 1-3 grades

1926-27
Lester Cox – Clerk; Mrs Cora Everhart –  Principal & 4-8 grades; Mrs Angleine Matta – 1-3 grades

1927-28
Jesse Jones – Clerk; N.E. Clark – Trustee; Etoile F Parker – Teacher

1928-29
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones- Trustee; Etoile F Parker – 3-8 grades; Minnie K Bisby – Primary

1929-30
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones – Trustee; Minnie K Bisby – 4-7 grades; Hannah F Webster – 1-3 grades

1930-31
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones – Trustee; Hannah F Webster – Principal & 1-3 grades; Dorothy A Kelly – 4-8 grades

1931-32
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones – Trustee; Hannah F Webster – Principal & 1-3 grades; Dorothy A Kelly – 4-8 grades

1932-33
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones- Trustee; Hannah F Webster – Principal & 1-3 grades; Dorothy Garrett – 4-8 grades

1933-34
George Genn – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Trustee; Jesse Jones – Trustee; Hannah F Webster – Principal & 1-3 grades; Dorothy Garrett – 4-8 grades

1934-35
Eva Drullard – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Member; Jesse Jones – Member; Hannah F Webster – Principal & 1-3 grades; Dorothy Garrett – 4-8 grades

1935-36
Eva Drullard – Clerk; Bird Yoas – Member; George Fenely – Member; Alice Barrett – 1-4 grades; Eleanor Hale – 4, 8 grades

1936-37
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; George Fenely – Member; Alice Barrett – 1-4 grades; Eleanor Hale – 4, 8 grades

1937-38
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; George Fenely – Member; James Fenely – Member; Alice Barrett – 1-4 grades; Eleanor Hale – 4, 8 grades

1938-39
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; Joe Fenely – Member; James Fenely – Member; Alice Barrett – Principal & 1-4 grades; Alice Foxwell – 4, 8 grades

1939-40
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; Clyde Boozer – Member; James Fenely – Member; Alice Barrett – Principal & 1-4 grades; Harriet Murphy – 5-8 grades

1940-41
Bertha Shaeffer – Clerk; Clyde Boozer – Member; W. A. Knibbe – Member; Donald Yaeger – Principal & 5-8 grades; Marguerita Anna Hesla – 1-4 grades

1941-42
John Payne – Clerk; Elmer Catlin – Member; W. A. Knibbe – Member; Donald Yaeger – Principal & 5-8 grades; Marguerita Anna Hesla – 1-4 grades; Irma Young – 5-8 grades; Juanita Garcia – Janitor

1942-43
John Payne – Clerk; Elmer Catlin – Member; W. A. Knibbe – Member; Ida Henry –5-8 grades; Irma Young – Principal & 5-8 grades

1943-44
John Payne – Clerk; Elmer Catlin – Member; W. A. Knibbe – Member; Hannah Ramsey – 1-8 grades

1944-45
John Payne – Clerk; Elmer Catlin – Member; Vesta M Cooper – Principal & 4-8 grades; Mary E Cook – 1-3 grades

1945-46
John Payne – Clerk; W.R. Thurber – Member; Mary Gumm Bretch – Principal & 4-8 grades; Mary E Cook – 1-3 grades

1946-47
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Nellie Burleson – Member; Etta P Edgell – Member; Cornelia Dillon – Principal & 4-8 grades; Hazel E. Olson – 1-3 grades

1947-48
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Nellie Burleson – Member; Etta P Edgell – Member; Cornelia Dillon – Principal & 4-8 grades; Hazel E. Olson – 1-3 grades

1948-49
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Joesph Noell Jr – Member; Cornelia Dillon – Principal & 4-8 grades; Beulah Bush Gear – 1-3 grades

1949-50
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Meade Place – Member; Cornelia Dillon – Principal & 4-8 grades; Mrs Jimmie Matheson – 1-3 grades; Elizabeth Pesuti – Janitress

1950-51
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Meade Place – Member; R.B. Whisenand – Member; Mrs Jimmie Matheson – 1-3 grades; Mary Martin – 4-8 grades

1951-52
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; R.B. Whisenand – Member; Meade Place – Member; Theran D Feigel – Head teacher 4-8 grades; Louise Feigel – 1-3 grades

1952-53
Mrs Vernon Gatlin – Clerk; Meade Place – Member; R.B. Whisenand – Member; Kenneth Heywood – Principal & 4-8 grades; Lorraine Heywood – 1-3 grades

1953-54
Mrs Whit Ward – Clerk; Meade Place – Member; R.B. Whisenand – Member; Kenneth Heywood – 4-8 grades; Lorraine Heywood – Principal & 1-3 grades

1954-55
Mrs Helen Ward – Clerk; Meade Place – Member; R.B. Whisenand – Member; Conrad Jones – Head Teacher & 4-8 grades; Josephine Jones – 1-3 grades

1955-56
Mrs Helen Ward – Clerk; Mrs Elmer Gatlin – Member; Conrad Jones – Head Teacher & 3-6 grades; Josephine Jones – 1-2 grades; Bessie Conan – Janitor

1956-57
Mrs Helen Ward – Clerk; Vernon Gatlin – Member; Raymond Wright – Member; Roland Kee – Head Teacher

1957-58
Mrs Helen Ward – Clerk; Vernon Gatlin – Member; Raymond Wright – Member; Roland Kee – Head Teacher & 4-6 grades; Virginia Kee – 1-3 grades

1958-59
Louis Pesuti – Clerk; Raymond Wright – Member; John Widmer – Member; Paul Davis – Head Teacher & 4-6 grades; Faye Davis – 1-3 grades; Bina Coonan – Janitress

1959-60 – Information not submitted

1960-61
Olga Palmer – President; Louis Pesuti – Clerk; William Bennett – Member; Myrtle Molland – Head Teacher & Primary; Arnold Lish – 5-6 grades; Virginia Lish – 3-4 grades; Elligio Salcido – Janitor

1961-62
William Bennett – President; Carol Boozer – Clerk; Louis Pesuti – Member; Maurice Jones – Principal & 5-6 grades; Melba Jones – 1-2 grades; Austin Peck – 3-4 grades; Eligio Salcido – Janitor

1962-63
Closing Date May 24, 1963.
William Bennett – President; Carol Boozer – Clerk; George Parker – Member; Maurice Jones – Principal & 6-7 grades; Melba Jones – 1-2 grades; Austin Peck – 3-5 grades; Mary Valdez – Janitor