Until recently, I had always assumed that CSDR had its original design idea for the landmark entrance sign at the Brill Loop. My long-held assumption turns out to be right or wrong. I am not sure which one at this point.
I spotted a familiar picture in the newsletter from the Kentucky School for the Deaf at Danville. Probably taken in 1975, the yearbook picture depicts the three-board sign that spells the school's full name and year of establishment.
My first question came to mind: Who created the design idea first?CSDR? KSD? To answer my question, I researched the KSD website and discovered that its old sign had also been replaced sometime before 2018.
KSD has a relatively new entrance sign built with red bricks. Take a look at the picture below.
Dr Charles Katz, ‘82, traveled in his RV across the country for his dissertation and stopped at numerous state schools for the deaf. He recalls there were three or four schools with the similar entrance sign design.
CSDR, the original entrance sign was installed on a small grass island in 1957, four years after the school opened. Many people erroneously thought the sign was there from the beginning in 1953.
CSDR Alumna Joni Macfadden, ‘56, came to see her old friends: Pat Bull, ‘57, Rae Etta Marquis Gamache, ‘57 and Lillian Quartermus, ‘57, at the newly erected entrance sign.
The Class of 1958 outgoing seniors gathered in their best for a group picture at the Brill island. They brought suitcases to portray a sense of farewell.
Our new entrance sign was erected around 2010. The demolition of the old sign was unpopular among the long-time staff and alumni, and the gripe has been simmering for years. On the plus side, the new sign is bigger and stronger, with building blocks throughout. Flowers and trees surround it. It is equipped with lights for a night show for the first time. Admittedly, the front sign looks elegant both in the day and at night.
Superintendent Malcolm Grossinger faced two choices to accommodate the massive digging to bury 10-12 PVC tubes for natural gas, Internet fiber, water, telephone, electricity, etc. somewhere in the quad. Two choices fell on the entrance sign and the majestic oak tree (almost as old as the school). Construction manager need to cut down the tree or break down the entrance for the required digging for the PVC pipes. It was no brainer to choose entrance sign for demolition. Mal
authorized the razing of the landmark entrance sign in favor of saving the grandmother tree and construct a better sign. He was surprised that his administrative action caused a backlash from many people on campus and off. He realized his mistake for not explaining fast enough to the campus community and the alumni.
Above are the state seals to represent its Department of Education and the State of California.
After the demolition, we got a hold of the two remaining old entrance boards for safekeeping. We don't know where the top board that spells “California.” Kevin Phillips, ‘87, suggests two possible reasons for its disappearance: 1) the board had bad termite damage on both ends of the sign and was tossed away, or 2) someone took it home.
For now, the two boards are stored in the shipping container. We can decide later what to do with them. We could install the old entrance sign near Gate 14 on the back lot on Maude Street in the near future.
Above is the well-known alumni family by the name of the Ramborgers at the Brill Island. In order from the left are Bill, ‘62; Carole, ‘65; Marlena, ‘97; Dick, ‘64; and Heidi, ‘92.
Above was the 1983 CSDR Alumni Association Reunion Committee chaired by Josef Lerman, ‘61, standing in the middle with black hair. Josef moved to the US from Israel. Interestingly, almost all of the committee members were enrolled at CSDR in the 1950s. They came back to their alma mater and volunteered their time to pay back their dues for their life-changing experiences on campus. They went home to their families once a month. They chose to stay on campus three weekends a month. Life was wonderful.
In closing, I invite you to embrace the relatively new entrance sign and watch its growing sign recognition to symbolize the internationally acclaimed school.
Kevin Struxness, ‘76, MA
Editor, CSDR Old Times
11 November 2024
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