About Us

Established: 1963 

History:

Matthew Gage was born on January 11, 1844, in Coloraine, Ireland. He was raised, educated and married in Kingston, Canada, to Miss Jane Gibson in 1869. He was a comparatively poor jeweler when he arrived in Riverside in March 1881. Before moving here he purchased twenty acres of orange and other deciduous fruit trees on the corner of California and Jackson streets. This venture proved unsuccessful, but did not discourage his faith in the possibilities in Riverside, and he immediately directed his energies to other fields of development. Understanding the need for irrigation and water, Mr. Gage worked with the government to create the Gage Canal. The canal was finally completed in 1886. Among Mr. Gage's better known contributions to Riverside are the beautiful Victoria Avenue and the Victoria Avenue Bridge which he planned and presented to the city. 

Matthew Gage died on January 22, 1916, and was laid to rest in Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside. 

Mr. Matthew Gage is deserving of the tribute of naming a school after him, for his work and vision in making possible the cultivation and development of the Gage Canal in Riverside and Arlington. It is very fitting that our school was given the name of this pioneer who exhibited a love for learning, for music, for the land, for his fellow men, combined with wisdom and sparkling wit; these are a few of the attributes which we hope students will develop as they progress toward maturity down through the years, as long as Matthew Gage Middle School endures. Some of the streets in this vicinity bear the names of Mr. Gage's children or other relations: Marguerita for Margaret, Maude, Anna, Horace, and Frances were children. Jane was Mrs. Matthew Gage and Mary was his sister-in-law. 

We are proud to bear the name of this wonderful pioneer! 

Mascot: Gators 
School Colors: Kelly Green & White

Matthew Gage Middle School is a true reflection of the greater community of the City of Riverside. Our students come from many areas of Riverside, but all share the common bond of the Matthew Gage Middle School Family. From our teachers and support staff to the students and families, we are committed to the spirit of pursuing excellence in all that we do. This pride is translated into a staff that focuses on the whole child, students who are motivated and challenged to achieve and parents who give of their time and effort to support Matthew Gage Middle School. Our history of pulling together has resulted in a school whose reputation of delivering a quality education is earned each day and whose heritage of excellence is established over years of proven performance.

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