The first private school in Eureka was established by the Methodist Church by Rev. J.W. Hiries. He bought the block bounded by 7th, 8th, F & G streets (now site of Eureka Inn) in 1865 and established the Humboldt Academy. After running for two years the mortgage was foreclosed. After passing thru several ownerships it became a Catholic Convent. The new Methodist Church at Del Norte and F was dedicated on May 31st, 1931.