Robert Gisler Elementary School was dedicated on April 9, 1969. Like most schools in the Fountain Valley School District, it was named after one of the community's pioneers.

About Robert Gisler

Robert Gisler was born on February 18, 1861, in Altdorf, Canton Uri, Switzerland. He arrived in Ventura, California, on June 4, 1874, at the age of 17. On October 31, 1892, he married Anna Planzer in a small Catholic Church in Ventura County. Anna, born in Switzerland on January 4, 1873, had moved to Ventura in May 1892 at the age of 19.

In October 1903, Robert moved with his family to the Fountain Valley area, where he purchased land, part of which included the fifteen-acre site that is now Robert Gisler School. A dedicated farmer, he tilled the soil and formed many friendships within the community. Robert lived in the Gisler farmhouse until his death on December 22, 1945, at the age of 84. His wife, Anna, passed away earlier in 1938 at the age of 65.

The Gisler Family

Robert and Anna Gisler were the parents of nine children—four sons and five daughters—who were educated at the old Fountain Valley two-room grammar school. Walter R. Gisler, one of their sons, served on the Fountain Valley School Board for 18 years, from 1930 to 1948.

Land and Community Contributions

Robert Gisler owned and farmed 140 acres south of Garfield Street between Brookhurst and Ward, as well as 80 acres south of Ellis Avenue between Brookhurst and Ward. Beyond farming, he was actively involved in numerous community and religious organizations, including:

• The Catholic Church
• The Knights of Columbus Lodge
• Land Improvements
• Water District
• Farm Bureau
• Education initiatives