On April 18, 1968 the students of Mount Tahoma High School squeezed into one of the school's courtyards for a good natured group portrait. By 1968 Mt. Tahoma, which opened in September of 1961 was full to overflowing with students. This photograph was used in an advertisement that ran in the News Tribune in support of a school bond proposition which, if passed by the voters, would fund the construction of two new high schools. Tacoma's high schools were adding 450 students a year and there were already 2,400 more high school students than the state Office of Public Instruction recommended. The May 21st school bond election failed due to low voter turnout. "Tightwad Hill" next to Cheney Stadium was chosen in 1969 as the site for Tacoma's next high school; the Henry Foss High School opened there in 1973. (Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support.) (TNT 5-17-68, B-6)

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

These six young ladies, members of the Gault Junior High School Orchestra, would be participating in the school's talent program on December 8, 1955. From left to right: Anita Johnson, Carillon Shull, Diane Eggleston, Gretchen Kooley, Pam Potucek and Judy Shull. All the musicians have white blouses with small dark scarves, dark skirts and emblems denoting their membership in the school orchestra. (TNT 11-27-1955, D-11)

Gault Junior High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Johnson, Anita; Shull, Carillon; Eggleston, Diane; Kooley, Gretchen; Potucek, Pam; Shull, Judy;

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;

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;

Halfback Harry Harper has a firm grip on the football in this November 1, 1955, photograph. Harper, of Lincoln High School, was a "clutch" player known for his hard running, jarring blocking and alert defense. He scored 10 touchdowns his senior year and was named to the All-Capitol League first team. He was also honored by the Tacoma Lions Club with their second annual "Outstanding Player" award. He was an instrumental part in Lincoln's 19-0 victory over Stadium on Thanksgiving Day 1955. (1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 50, p. 53-54)

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Harper, Harry;

Exterior James Sales Elementary School. A close-up view of the main entrance to the James Sales Elementary School was taken on October 31, 1954. Designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, the school was built mostly of brick as a one-story unit. A modern entryway with multi-paned windows and small porch would greet the children of the school. The name of the school is clearly stated in large letters close to the entrance. The James Sales Elementary School was located in Parkland and was a part of the Franklin Pierce School District. It was named after James Sales, first white child born in the Tacoma area in 1853. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards.

James Sales Elementary School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland--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;

Boland Studio notes indicate that this group of young athletes came from Lincoln High School and were photographed at the Tacoma Hotel on December 6, 1929. In the back row, far left, is coach Homer Post. Bert Beal is at the far right, first row. G47.1-004

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Post, Homer; Beal, Bert;

This is a view of Tacoma Avenue North at North 1st St. in March of 1923 with utility pole wires and cable car lines bisecting the streets. To assist motorists, the city or business district had placed directional signs on a post nearby with arrows pointing to Point Defiance and Day Island and also to Stadium and Information (Auto Club). Stadium High School can be spotted on the far left overlooking Commencement Bay. Stadium Confectionery which also sold groceries, fruits and meats is at North 1st with a delivery truck parked outside. There is a billboard or mural on one of the walls of the grocery store with lights fastened at the top. The general site was later to become Rankos' Pharmacy. Photograph ordered by Foster & Kleiser. TPL-851; G62.1-071

Streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Confectionery (Tacoma); Billboards--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stadium High School Student Council. Elected members of Stadium High School's Student Council posed in front of the school on January 19, 1925. The energetic council put forth many improvements during the school year, including organization of the Sophomore Class, planning for the annual Night Shirt Parade, funding matinee dances, and painting and repairing projects including fixing the drainage system on the corner of North 1st and Tacoma Avenue. The Tahoma, school annual, noted that the council's greatest accomplishment may have been the establishment of an Honor Society. President of the Student Council was junior class president, Joseph Griggs. Mr. Griggs is believed to be in the second row, extreme left. TPL-6720; G47.1-029 (1925 Tahoma, p. 143-44)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Student organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Lincoln High School presented its annual Christmas program on December 22, 1931. The 60-piece orchestra and 100-member chorus posed together with director, Margaret Goheen (far left, first row). Handel's "Messiah, " Lincoln High School's oratorio was so much in demand that a repeat performance was held the following Sunday at Mason Methodist Church. 2600 people wanted free admission to the school performance but the school auditorium only had 1500 seats. The News Tribune reported that the students gave a fine performance with a pleasing appearance by the singers, dressed in black and white surplices for the chorus and white for the soloists. G47.1-001 (TNT 12-22-31, p. 1-article; TNT 12-23-31, p. 14-article)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Goheen, Margaret;

Undated photograph of Stadium High School overlooking Commencement Bay. This photograph of the majestic brick and turreted school was probably taken in the 1920s. Boland A7920.

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

ca. 1916. Girls Gymnasium, Lincoln Park High School, Tacoma

Lincoln Park High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1910-1920; Gymnasiums; Physical education