Edward Spaulding Lippett and his wife Sarah left Connecticut and came to Petaluma in 1863. He became Petaluma’s first Superintendent of Schools.  In 1867 he built a private academy at 625 D Street.  That enterprise failed and he lost his entire investment, so he returned to his law practice. The building was purchased by the Petaluma School Board for a high school. Mr. Lippett came out strongly for educating males and females together, something not common in those days.  He also served as Petaluma’s city attorney. In 1874 when the San Francisco and North Pacific Railway was being built he was appointed chief counsel.  He preached at the Petaluma Congregational Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church.  After President Lincoln’s death he delivered a powerful eulogy.