In March of 1976, as Americans began their year long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, children and staff from Custer Elementary School posed before one of the Bicentennial exhibits on display in the school's hallway. Many wore costumes depicting 18th century Colonial fashions. Custer School is located in Lakewood at 7700 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. The original school was named Custer School after pioneer settler Lesour Custer; it was rebuilt in 1953. Photograph ordered by the Washington State Historical Society.

School children--Lakewood; Costumes;

The students attending Custer School, 7700 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood, posed for a school picture with their teacher Mabel Justin in front of their one-year-old building in October of 1933. The first Custer School, named after Lesour Custer, was built in the early 1890s on land donated by the Knoxhum family. In 1932, the old school was torn down and this new, two room school house was built. As the Clover Park School District grew, another newer, and bigger Custer school was built in 1953; this 1932 building, also called the "Little Red School House," was not demolished and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The young lad with the tie in front of Mrs. Justin is her son. According to Mrs. Justin's grandson, she made her son wear the tie for this occasion,

Custer School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood--1930-1940; Students--Lakewood--1930-1940; School children--Lakewood--1930-1940;

Plywood was used for sheathing and concrete forms during construction at the new Custer School. The school was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards. The building was dedicated September 30, 1953. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Custer School (Lakewood);