Digital Compendium

Welcome to the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek

We are very happy that you’ve chosen to stay with us during your visit to the rugged and beautiful Mendocino coast. We strive to make the Inn a comfortable, inviting retreat from the every day and if there is anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please do not hesitate to let us know.

– Kate, Ken & the Team at Schoolhouse Creek

History of the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek

Little River was first settled by Lloyd and Samuel Bell, and the Moore Brothers. Shortly after, in 1856, W.H. Kent purchased the Bell tract and until 1862 the place was known as Bell’s Harbor and Kent’s Landing. In that year Ruel Stickney, Silas Coombs, and Tapping Reeves built a mill here, which provided the stimulus for the formation of the town of Little River. This coastal mill town grew with the success of the mill so that eventually a schoolhouse, post house, shipyard, hotels, stores and blacksmith shops all established themselves here. Little River prospered in a similar way to many other towns on the Mendocino Coast until the nearby inland timber stands faltered. In the case of Little River, the mill closed in 1893. The loss of the mill shrunk the town and since that time it has served mainly as a holiday destination. The first road that ran through this area was the Anderson Valley and Big River Wagon Road. This road was likely widened and altered over the years until it was eventually added to the State Highway System as the Shoreline Highway – Highway 1.

In 1862, just ten years following the arrival of the first settlers on the Mendocino Coast (and a year before Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address), mill owner and rancher Charles Perkins, built the Inn’s historic Ledford Farmhouse. Shortly thereafter, around 1870, the first Little River Schoolhouse was built on the ranch giving the name to the creek, which runs through the south side of the property. The Inn’s property would remain a private residence for the next 40 years. In 1888, Perkins built a mansion on the hill to the south of the Inn and, in so doing, renovated the farmhouse to give to his daughter as a wedding present. The coffered old-growth redwood ceilings were added for the wedding and were quite the statement of affluence and style for the time.

The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek is the oldest resort in continuous operation on the Mendocino stretch of the North Coast. Its opening coincided with the completion of the ‘Shoreline Highway’ in 1933. Workers moved turn-of-the-century mill houses onto the property and these are now Rose, Heather, Fuchsia and Cypress and Garden cottages. The Garden-edge cottages Thyme and Tansy were also built at this time, in classic 1930’s motor court style.

During World War II, the property was turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard to house the shore patrol, which was on the lookout along the shoreline from Point Arena to Westport for invaders. The Coast Guard added three cottages to the property. Pomo & Ledford Cottages, our largest at over 1,000 square feet, were built sometime prior to 1940 and used as the mess hall and officer’s quarters. The romantic Water Tower cottage was used as the armory and the lookout tower was once home to an anti-aircraft battery is now houses a hot tub instead.

In the late 1950s, the Inn underwent another change when the motel craze swept across America and became the “Lazy Eye Motel” (no one wonders why the name changed). Our front four rooms – Point Cabrillo, Van Damme, Buckhorn Cove, and Anderson Valley – were built to cater to the tourists in their cars as they traveled the newly named ‘California HWY 1’.

In the 1970s, it’s rumored that the owner conducted high stakes card games here at the Inn – sometimes lasting over a week – flying customers in from places like Reno and Las Vegas. His grandson, a recent visitor, said that we should believe everything we hear about his grandfather!
Given the Inn’s long and colorful history, it’s not surprising that both guests and staff alike have reported some lingering personalities on the property. Tansy, Rose, and the old Ledford Farmhouse seem to have permanent residents. Luckily they are as happy to be in this beautiful spot as we are, and don’t do much more than hide your toothbrush (we have spares at the front desk).

In the 1980s the Ledford Farmhouse was restored and became home to our restaurant and front desk. Additions to the inn continued with the building of the redwood lodge at the top of the property, where Captain’s Watch, Whale Watch, and Pacific View preside over the meadow.
In 2012, the Ledford Farmhouse turned 150-years-old, and to celebrate we performed renovations throughout the property with Cottages and Rooms being remodeled in a warm and inviting Coastal Farmhouse look and feel. We added in the sunset observation deck and fire pit located at the top of the property.

We continue to honor the hospitality and history of our unique property by offer services and amenities that evoke the graciousness of times past. By continuing to care for and enhance these unique and historic buildings and grounds we strive to ensure that the Inn offers the ease and luxury of modern life seamlessly blended with the unforgettable character and romance of the past.

Property Information

Your Bathroom

We strive to be environmentally conscious without compromising on luxury or quality. One of our biggest challenges here on the coast is water conservation; to that end, we have installed dual flush toilets and restricted flow showerheads in all of our baths. We selected for you a collection of Luxury amenities by EO Products of Marin (available for purchase at the front desk), plush cotton towels, and luxurious bathrobes for your comfort and indulgence.

Cellphone Service

Cell phone reception is limited on the North Coast, and most guests will only receive service while in town. You can also give out our number (707-937-5525) as a contact number during your stay and we will take and deliver messages. We do recommend downloading WhatsApp! before your arrival so that you’ll be able to use the WiFi for texts and calls.

Check-out

Check-out time is 11:00 am. We ask that this time be respected for our incoming guests. An additional charge may be assessed for a late check-out.

DVD Player

To operate the DVD player, turn on the TV then turn on the DVD player and insert the DVD. Push the Source button on the TV remote control. Select AV 1 from the menu that appears for DVD. Select TV from the same menu to return to cable television.

Emergencies

If you have an emergency, please call 911. An after-hours on-site manager on duty can be contacted by calling 707-937-2859. Our street address is 7051 North Highway 1 in Little River.

Fire Extinguishers

There is a fire extinguisher located underneath the kitchen sink.

Fireplaces & Heat

The fireplace in your cottage is also your heat source and is controlled by the thermostat remote on the wall. Simply set the thermostat to your desired temperature by holding down the “set” button and using the up and down arrows to adjust. When the numbers stop flashing, press the up arrow and a little flame icon will appear on the right on the readout. Push the down button and it will disappear. The fireplace will not come on if the flame is not visible. Please do not attempt to adjust the stove itself! If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call.

Front Desk Hours

The front desk hours are 9 am to 5 pm, unless otherwise posted. If you have an emergency after-hours call the emergency number, 707-937-2859 to reach the onsite manager on duty.

Hair Dryer, Iron & Ironing Board

There is a hairdryer in your bathroom and an ironing board and iron in or near your closet.

Housekeeping

During the COVID-19 Mendocino County Order, in-room housekeeping service will not be provided. If you need additional towels or other amenities, please text your innkeeper at 707-229-1250 and your items will be delivered using our contact-less methods.

Internet Access / Wi-Fi

For the convenience of our guests, the Inn offers two high-speed Wi-Fi systems for you to log on to. Depending on where you are on the property you can log into either “Schoolhouse East” or “Schoolhouse West” networks. The wireless password for both systems is Schoolhouse (written on your welcome card). Wifi password is case-sensitive.

Kitchens

All kitchens are fully equipped with dishware, glassware, flatware, cookware, and small appliances. There is a fire extinguisher underneath the kitchen sink. We are also able to provide salt and pepper and a complimentary local blend of regular and decaf coffee, a selection of organic tea, as well as sweeteners, and creamers upon request.

Laundry

The Inn does not have a guest laundry. The closest Laundromat to the Inn is in Fort Bragg, we recommend Lucy’s on Main St.

Medical Assistance

If you have an emergency, please call 911. Our street address is 7051 North Highway 1 in Little River.
If the desk is closed, please call our after-hours manager by calling 707-937-2859 and let them know what cottage you are in and they will be there to help direct emergency personnel to you.

Smoking

The entire property is non-smoking (yes that includes vaping and the stuff Mendo is famous for). Smoking is not permitted in any of our rooms or cottages or their decks; you will be charged a minimum of $275 to restore the room/cottage if smoke is detected in the room. This policy is for the comfort of other guests and includes all decks, porches, and grounds.

Sleeper Sofa, Trundle, and Murphy Beds

Many of our rooms and cottages have additional sleeping options – all of them are already made up and the pillow, comforter, etc. are in your closet or armoire.

Trash & Pet Waste

We provide housekeeping service every two days and will take out the trash at that time. If you need to empty your trash before then please contact the front desk and we will be happy to take care of it for you. If your cottage has a yard, please pick up behind your pet… You may also dispose of dog waste in any of the pet stations throughout the property. Please help us recycle by using the blue recycling containers provided in your room.

Terms & Conditions of Internet Use

By using our Internet services, you hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that there are significant security, privacy, and confidentiality risks inherent in accessing or transmitting information through the Internet, whether the connection is facilitated through wired or wireless technology. Security issues include, without limitation, interception of transmissions, loss of data, and the introduction of viruses and other programs that can corrupt or damage your computer.

Accordingly, you agree that neither the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek nor Kila Properties is liable for any interception of transmissions, computer worms or viruses, loss of data, file corruption, hacking or damage to your computer or others that result from the transmission or download of information or materials through the internet service provided.