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;

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;

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;

This photograph of the front of Stadium High School was taken in January of 1958 for the Mark Mitchell Roofing Company which was located at 662 East 11th Street. Built in the "Chateauesque" style used for the Canadian Pacific Railroad's resort hotels, with steeply-pitched hipped roofs, cone-shaped towers, turrets and pointed spires Stadium H.S. posed special problems for roofers. The section of North E Street that ran past the front of the high school at the time of this image is no longer open to traffic. (Photograph ordered by Mark Mitchell Roofing Co.) TPL-9499

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A message board lends an air of modernity which contrasts with the French chateau architecture of Stadium High School. It stands as a reminder that this beautiful building, placed on the city, state, and national registries, is being utilized as a high school by the Tacoma School District. In May, 1958, there were only two high schools in Tacoma, with Woodrow Wilson High School to open four months later. Photograph ordered by Chase, Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. TPL-9161

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Placed on the City, State and National Registry of historic buildings, the French chateau styled Stadium High School opened as a school in 1906. Intended originally for use as a hotel, and damaged by fire, the building was saved and remodeled to be used as a high school. View of Stadium High School; the unusual spires, turrets and towers would have been a challenge for roofers to maintain and replace. Nevertheless, $850,000 was spent in the summer of 1958 for renovations to the school. A new roof, rewelded and repainted fire escapes, replacement windows and sashes and a 50 foot steel beam lowered across the top of the gym to make the basketball court regulation sized and turned around were just some of the projects. Photograph ordered by Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11) TPL-8668

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This side view of Stadium High School was taken on a sunny spring day in 1958 from the corner of N. 2nd and "E" Sts. Fire escapes are attached to the outside of the buildings so that students could exit in case of emergencies. These fire escapes would be removed, rewelded and painted during the $850,000 renovation project at the school during summer, 1958. Hipped and pitched roofs, spirals, and dormers blend in with the French chateau architecture but would have been difficult to repair and maintain. Besides a new roof, 500 windows and sashes were replaced during renovations. Photograph ordered by the Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The glass-encased multi-story fine arts annex at Lincoln High School was dedicated in November of 1957 and open for public viewing as part of the annual Back-to-School night and observance of American Education Week. It was the first major improvement at the school in several years. The modernistic steel and concrete Fine Arts Building is adjacent to the ivy-covered walls of the main building. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-8474

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The finished interior of the new Henry F.Hunt Junior High cafetorium at 6501 South 10th Street was photographed on June 23, 1958. The school opened in September of 1958, and the dedication was held on October 29th. The innovative dome-shaped building combined the cafeteria and the school auditorium. The curved stage blends with the building's curved glue-lam beams. The cafetorium had 20 bays with the dome covering a 144 foot span. The dome was formed by the use of 7" by 26" glue-lam beams; the purlins between the beams were covered with a half-inch fir plywood sheathing. There were many skylights to help with the natural lighting. The feeling of spaciousness was further accentuated by the lack of supporting columns within the building. Because of the extensive use of wood, the school district was able to save quite a bit of money in construction; costs ran 15 cents per square foot. (TNT 2-9-58, A-19, 20)

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

A covered walkway would offer protection to students on their way to the cafeteria/auditorium on the campus of the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School at 6501 South 10th street when it opened in September of 1958. The saucer-shaped building was designed by architect Robert Billsbrough Price and was made primarily of wood. The glass walls, along with the many skylights, provided plenty of natural light. The innovative building had no supporting columns within to distract from the feeling of spaciousness. This photograph was taken in June of 1958 while it was still empty. It was built to serve the burgeoning student population of Tacoma's West End and Fircrest neighborhoods.

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

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School was applauded for its innovative use of wood. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price designed the new West end school to be built on one-level using primarily wood instead of the traditional brick or concrete. Costs were kept low at 15 cents a square foot because of the wood usage. View of Hunt cafetorium, an unusually shaped cafeteria/auditorium, showing huge curved glue-lam beams. Photograph ordered by American Lumberman, Chicago.

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

Over thirty students - only one a girl - were crowded into Clare Sherwood's science lab at Wilson High School in December of 1958 for a presentation that centered on what appears to be the wiring harness of a pinball machine. Mr. Sherwood was the head of the science department at Tacoma's newest high school. Woodrow Wilson High School opened its doors in September, 1958, the first new Tacoma high school in four decades. It was designed by architects Lea, Pearson & Richards as a modified campus-type arrangement on a 40-acre site purchased in 1953 by the school board as tax title land. The total cost was approximately $2.84 million with a cost per square foot of $13.96. (Photograph ordered by Citizens Committee for School Support.) (TNT 7-14-57, B-8) TPL-9296

Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sherwood, Clare; Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Chemistry students at the brand new Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma's west end focus intently on their lab experiments just prior to the Christmas holidays in 1958. The high school, with an enrollment of 1,350 students, had just opened in September of that year. Woodrow Wilson High School was the first new Tacoma high school to be built in forty-four years. About half of the students transferred from Stadium High School, and a few came from the University Place area. Maynard Ponko was Wilson's first principal. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support. (TNT 9-3-58, A-1) TPL-9297

Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In December of 1959, the Lincoln High School Song Queens and Yell Queens (Pep Staff) posed for a studio portrait in their uniforms. The song queens led the school in song while the yell queens led the cheers. The girls were, clockwise from 12 o'clock, song queen Jan Manfull, pep queen Rhoda Lee Tallman, song queen Jan Geppert, pep queen Joyce Alice Reichel, song queen Edna Sharlene Tyler, pep queen Deanna Marlow, song queen Patty Jo Clifford and pep queen Kathy Wahl. (The Lincolnian 1960, TNT 11/8/1959, pg. D-1)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Cheerleading--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Tallman, Rhoda Lee; Reichel, Joyce Alice; Tyler, Sharlene; Marlow, Deanna; Clifford, Patty Jo; Wahl, Kathy; Manfull, Jan; Geppert, Jan;

Lincoln High School drill team Marcetta-Ki for the 1960 yearbook "Lincolnian." Marcetta Ki was Lincoln's marching team. They performed at half times during home games and marched in 3 parades in 1960, one of which was Tacoma's Daffodil Parade. Girls with good posture, average grades, a nice personality and good figure were chosen to be members of the club. ( "1960 Lincolnian")

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Marcetta-Ki (Tacoma); Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drill teams;

ca. 1959. Hunt Junior High School, aerial photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, the school design was the recipient of numerous awards, most dealing with the cost effectiveness of the school and its use of wood. The schools most distinctive feature was its circus tent like cafeteria/auditorium. The loaf shaped building at the rear is the gymnasium.

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

ca. 1959. Aerial of Hunt Junior High School, opened in 1958 to serve the growing communities of Fircrest and West Tacoma. When completed, the school designed by architect Robert Billsbrough Price was hailed as one of the most imaginative new schools in the country, and one of the least expensive per square foot. The reduced cost was due to the use of wood in construction, as opposed to concrete. The school's most distinctive feature was its mushroom shaped cafeteria/auditorium, growing from the landscape like something from P.T. Barnum. Hunt opened in 1958 with 27 teachers and 700 students under the guidance of Principal Trygve Blix. It was named after Henry F. Hunt, a Tacoma educator for 34 years who died in 1937. The school was expanded in 1964, 1974 and 1980. ("For the Record" by Winnifred L. Olsen) TPL-10159

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aerial photographs; Aerial views;

The health science instructors at Lincoln High School were teaching a progressive curriculum in March 1960. Students were exploring the nutritional benefits of algae years before the current craze for "health" foods. Two Lincoln students pose with a plate of freshly baked algae cookies. No fooling - seaweed cookies are good for you! Linda Chromage is at left.

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cookies--Tacoma; Nutrition--Tacoma; Chromage, Linda;

ca. 1960. Color architectural drawing of Mount Tahoma High School. Robert Billsbrough Price, noted Tacoma architect, designed the "campus style" format of the new Mount Tahoma High School, located at 6229 So. Tyler. Mr. Price had received much praise for his innovative design of Hunt Junior High School. The architect's drawing made full use of the new campus' 76 acres. Built by Strom Construction, Mount Tahoma would be the first "all-electric" school in Tacoma and would have the first "school-within-a-school" where sophomores, juniors and seniors would be in separate sections. It would have its first classes in September, 1961, and be officially dedicated on November 8, 1961.

Mount Tahoma High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Architectural drawings;

Two Henry F. Hunt Junior High (now Middle School) students take a break in the peaceful courtyard of the West End school in April, 1961. Wooden benches are placed beside a large square pond which contains a small rock garden with a newly planted fir. The ultra modern school was built in 1958 by noted architect Robert Billsbrough Price and heavily utilized wood instead of the more common brick or concrete. Photograph ordered by Vanzant, Dugdale & Co., Baltimore, MD.

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970;

April, 1961, view of cafeteria/auditorium at Hunt Junior High School. The mushroom-shaped building at the Henry F. Hunt Junior High (now Middle) School served at least two purposes. It was used as a cafeteria and also an auditorium with large stage. Here students are apparently rehearsing for a play; pianist is at hand to accompany actors. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price made full use of natural light with skylights and tall windows surrounding the building. The arched wooden beams provided support as well as made an arresting sight. Photograph ordered by Vanzant, Dugdale & Co., Baltimore, MD.

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cafeterias--Tacoma; Auditoriums--Tacoma;

Library at Hunt Junior High (now Middle) School. Several tables are arranged neatly in the library of the Henry F. Hunt Junior High in April, 1961. Bookcases aligned on one long wall are filled with rows of fiction, classics and non-fiction books. Eleven tempera paintings made by individual ninth graders filled the panel above the book stacks. Each represented a favorite book or character. 2 x 3.5 feet in size, all featured monochromactic blues. The school was built heavily utilizing wood instead of the more common brick or concrete; examples shown above are the thick wooden beams in the ceiling. Photograph ordered by Vanzant, Dugdale & Co., Baltimore, MD. (TNT 12-25-60, A-6)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Libraries--Tacoma--1960-1970;

These young students appear to be getting an early start at Mount Tahoma High School in mid-June, 1961, since the school did not open until September of that year. Built to accomodate the growing South End neighborhoods, the award winning school was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price using an open campus style. The tower pictured on the upper campus would later house a bell; it would become a tradition for seniors to ring the bell on the last day of school. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. for the cover of the company magazine.

Mount Tahoma High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bell towers--Tacoma;

School library. The library at Perry G. Keithley Junior High (now Middle School) is empty of students on September 20, 1962. The spacious library has plenty of room for books with several shelves half-empty. Study tables are spaced widely apart with rows of fluorescent lighting above to provide good lighting for readers. A freestanding globe could be used by students for homework assignments. Keithley Junior High is part of the Franklin Pierce School District. The school was dedicated on March 6, 1962. It was built by Strom Construction and designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards.(TNT 3-2-62, p. 7)

Perry G. Keithley Junior High School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland--1960-1970; Libraries--Parkland; Globes;

Exterior of Perry G. Keithley Junior High (now Middle) School. The school is located in the Franklin Pierce School District. View of school located at 12324 - 12th Ave. So. in the Parkland area taken on September 20, 1962. Covered walkways appear to connect the one-story classroom units of this new school. Built at a cost of $13.70 per square foot, the school was named for pioneer Franklin Pierce administrator, Perry G. Keithley. Keithley, who was an honored guest at the school's dedication on March 6, 1962, was once the youngest school superintendent in the state. The junior high is the second of its kind built in the Franklin Pierce school district; the other is Morris Ford. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. (TNT 3-2-62, p. 7)

Perry G. Keithley Junior High School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland--1960-1970;

1967 Richards stock file. The Stadium High School band forms their school initials accompanied by a drum major, majorettes and cheerleaders, during a photo shoot at Stadium Bowl in the fall of 1967. The school had a statewide reputation for producing fine musicians. Directed by Jack Lloyd, the band would participate in the Santa Claus and Daffodil Parades in addition to marching in the Turkey Day game. This photograph was used in the 1968 Tahoma, Stadium's yearbook, as a two-page spread. (1968 Tahoma, p. 12-13) TPL-9464 (b&w neg)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Youth bands--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Students at Jason Lee Junior High School, 602 No. Sprague Ave., study in their school's new science lab on April 18, 1968. Spacious work tables with built-in sinks, bright lighting, wood flooring, and lots of storage capacity were part of the science facility. A PE/industrial arts addition was planned for the near future; this was part of a $264,000 remodeling project. This photograph was used in a News Tribune ad dated May 13, 1968, asking for school bond passage. If the bond passed, similar labs would be built at Stewart, Gray and Mason Junior Highs for $90,000. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support. (TNT ad 5-13-68, p. 6)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Laboratories--Tacoma--1960-1970;