ca. 1935. School boy patrol at Central School, circa 1935. In a Tacoma school safety program initiated in 1929, responsible students were selected to assist their fellow students in safely crossing busy streets. The chest crossing belt and the hand held stop sign designated a student as a patrol member and were considered badges of honor. (Photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)

School safety patrols--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Case, William L.;

ca. 1913. This is the newly built Central School, 601 South 8th St., circa 1913. Located on the site of the former Washington College and Tacoma High School, it replaced the original 12-room wooden structure with 90-foot belltower at South 11th & "G" Sts. The former Central School had opened in 1883 serving grades one through eighth. On September 13, 1913, the new Central School opened under the guidance of principal George Stanley. 1000 elementary students moved into the grand $165,000 building at South 8th & Tacoma Avenue South. Walker Cut Stone Co. furnished the stonework on the multi-storied structure which had windows commanding splendid views of Mount Tahoma (Rainier). Generations of Tacomans were educated at Central School until the end of the 1967-68 school year when the building was converted to Tacoma School District's administrative offices. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 47-48, alt. photographs)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1910-1920;