Fruitvale Oakland California Dewey School 1910 Real Photo Postcard

Dewey School in Fruitvale, California, was constructed in 1902 and opened its doors in 1903, serving the rapidly growing community of Fruitvale. Named in honor of Admiral George Dewey, a national hero of the 1898 Spanish-American War, the school's naming reflects a period of strong American nationalism following the conflict. This substantial public building became a central educational institution for Fruitvale, which operated as an independent township before its annexation by the city of Oakland in 1909.