A worker appears miniscule as he stands high on top of the giant, curved beams that would hold up the dome shaped roof of the cafeteria/auditorium of the Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (later renamed Middle School) at 6501 So. 10th St. Posed under cloudy skies on June 26, 1957, the new wooden structure resembles a multi-legged spider. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price's unique designs was described as "one of the most imaginative new schools in the nation." Construction of a new junior high was approved because of the growing school age population in Tacoma's western region and in neighboring Fircrest. The school was completed in the summer of 1958, with an official dedication on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photographs--new junior high. The unusually shaped cafeteria/auditorium is taking shape at the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) on June 26, 1957. Resembling a wooden mushroom, the new facility would be able to accommodate students for both meals and assemblies. It would be built separate from the main buildings on campus. The Henry F. Hunt Junior High School would serve, as it still does, the growing neighborhoods of Tacoma's West End and nearby Fircrest. Tacoma Community College would be built just a couple blocks away in 1965. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs;

Progress photographs--new junior high school. The Sunnen Crane Service was utilized by the Tacoma School District to do heavy lifting in the building of the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School in 1957. Here they are pictured on June 26, 1957, hoisting arched panels to the roof of the new gymnasium. The unique design of the gymnasium was just one of the ultra-modern features incorporated into the school by architect Robert Billsbrough Price. His use of wood represented a "renaissance" in the usage of wood and wood products for school construction. Construction at the school was completed in 1958 with the school being officially dedicated on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Progress photographs--new junior high school. View looking outward from inside the new cafeteria/auditorium being constructed on the campus of Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (later renamed Middle School) on June 26, 1957. The cafeteria/auditorium would have a dome-shaped appearance with laminated wooden beams radiating from a central key block and extending to the ground. The new gymnasium with arched panel roof is in the photograph's background. In the middle are classrooms. The new cafeteria/auditorium would be situated on a small hill on the large campus. The school would be completed in the summer of 1958; it was officially dedicated on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 8-11-57, B-8)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photographs- Hunt Junior High School. Noted architect Robert Billsbrough Price designed the ultra-modern Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) which had been described as "one of the most imaginative new schools in the nation." Contractors Standard Construction Co. kept costs well in hand, with the school one of the least expensive per square foot. Workers are shown in this June 30, 1957, progress photograph, laying the arched panels covering the roof of the gymnasium. The school was dedicated on October 29, 1958. Trygve Blix was Hunt's first principal; formerly Baker Junior High's principal, he and his staff of 27 teachers were in charge of the nearly 700 students who attended Hunt from the Fircrest and West Tacoma neighborhoods. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The timeless beauty of Tudor Gothic-style architecture is reflected in the ivy-covered columns of Annie Wright Seminary. The school was designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan and built in 1924 by J.E. Bonnell, contractor. In 1957 Annie Wright grew to include the construction of new classrooms and a music room. It was primarily a girls' school and attracted students from as far away as Hawaii. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Private schools--Tacoma; Vines--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings;

ca. 1957. Clover Park High School's Class of 1957 is appropriately capped and gowned prior to graduation ceremonies held in the school's gymnasium. Rows of empty chairs face them, to be filled with hundreds of family and friends. Graduation ceremonies were held on June 6, 1957, with 284 blue-and-white clad seniors receiving diplomas. Bonnie Jean Chavis, Nancy Hannaford, and Edwin Hall made speeches regarding the senior class motto, "Men and Ideas." The class presented their gift of $500 to the school for use in the purchase of a stage curtain. Photograph ordered by the Seattle P-I. (TNT 6-7-57, p. 8)

Clover Park High School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood; Graduation ceremonies--Lakewood;

Progress photographs--Hunt Junior High School. Another view of the interior of the new gymnasium at the Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) was taken on July 1, 1957. Because the population of the West Tacoma and Fircrest areas was greatly increasing, a new junior high school with the capacity of 700+ students was constructed during 1957-58. It had an ultra-modern design on a spacious campus, with plenty of room to expand. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price had planned unusual arch panel-vaults that covered the gymnasium and a distinctly shaped cafeteria. The extensive use of wood was praised by members of the National Council on School Construction upon touring the school. The new school would be dedicated on October 29, 1958, with architect Price, School Superintendent Angelo Giaudrone, and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in attendance. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Architect Robert Billsbrough Price had his design for the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) highly praised as "one of the most imaginative new schools in the nation." It was both ultra-modern and surprisingly inexpensive per square foot. Tacoma's West End and neighboring Fircrest areas were rapidly expanding, necessitating the construction of a new junior high school for that sector of the city. When completed, it would become home to nearly 700 students. View of mushroom-shaped cafeteria/auditorium under construction in July, 1957; design of later built Tacoma Dome would be very similar in nature. The school, named after longtime Tacoma educator Henry F. Hunt, would be dedicated on October 29, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 157)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;