History of Santa Rita

Santa Rita Schools' Beginning with Santa Rita Rancho in the 1860s
Don J.M. Soto founded Santa Rita Rancho about 1860 with the first Santa Rita School coming about 1969.




Don J.M. Soto was lawyer, farmer, newpaper publisher and don of the Santa Rita Rancho. This is his letterhead. This 1963 Californian article touts the Santa Rita community in 1852. It goes on to cite the beginning of the school district in 1869 under T.W. Clay, county superintendent. That first school was where Hwy 101 is now. It burned down in 1877. This Californian article gives some of the details of the rancho founded by J.M. Soto in 1852 and the planned town in 1867. First Sotoville, then New Republic, and then Santa Rita, its fame waned when the railroad went through Salinas instead.
In 1900 this survey team was mapping the town of Santa Rita This Santa Rita School seen in 1933. It is reported to have burned about 1939. The bell still exists at the current school. This was the second Santa Rita School built by JM Soto for the residents. Pictured here in about 1880.
This recorded map of the original town of Santa Rita which was first called New Republic.

More information on the area may be found at the Monterey County Historical Society .