We celebrate 75 years this year!

Our big and beautiful building, and impressive entire block in the heart of Noe Valley, was finished in 1931. It's been a bustle of activity ever since. Our namesake, Mr. James Lick (1796 - 1873) is known by history buffs and scholars as "the generous miser." He gained an impressive amount of wealth in real estate at the beginning of the Gold Rush, had a keen mind for business, but was famous for being very, very frugal.

And eccentric. The story goes that he once told an employee to plant some trees upside down, just to test the employee's obedience.

But also Mr. Lick was a lover of science! You probably know of the University of California's Lick Observatory just east of San Jose, which he paid to have built. Near the end of his life, he decided to bequeath large amounts of his money to science, charity, and education.

But what about all the kids who passed through our halls these last 75 years? Many of them are still around, from some friendly store owners you see every day in the neighborhood, to even Carlos Santana.

And did you know we used to be known as "the Skippers"...

Stay tuned for news of our 75-year celebration event!