• Tacoma High School, later to be known as Stadium High School, at 111 No. E St. circa 1908.
• Printed on front: High School, Tacoma, Wash.

• Originally constructed as a hotel, it never opened because the structure was damaged by fire in 1898. It was converted for use as Tacoma High School in 1906. The name was changed in 1913 to Stadium High school. circa 1907.
• Printed on front: High School, Tacoma, Wash.

• Originally constructed as a hotel, it never opened because the structure was damaged by fire in 1898. It was converted for use as Tacoma High School in 1906. The name was changed in 1913 to Stadium High school. circa 1910.
• Printed on front: HIgh School, Tacoma, Wash.

Photo-collage by Marvin Boland of photographs that he took at the First Annual Rotary Fair held on October 31, 1919. This industrial fair for Rotary Club members and friends featured 150 exhibits promoting local professions and businesses. It was held in Stadium High School's gymnasium where the slogan of the fair was "Rotarians, Buy at Home." Because the fair was so successful, mention was made that a larger exhibition might be held later for the general public. Dr. H. J. Whitacre was the Rotary president at that time. (TDL 10-17-19, p. 3-article; TDL 10-31-19, p. 1-article)

Rotary Fair (Tacoma); Exhibits--Tacoma--1910-1920;

The cast of the Stadium High School opera, the "Sultan of Sulu," on stage. The opera, an annual presentation at Stadium High School, was the largest and according to the school yearbook "Tahoma," the "most important musical event of the year." In 1924, the musical comedy production of the "Sultan of Sulu" ran three nights from March 13-15, in order to accommodate the always large crowds. Although there was officially no leading role, good notices were received by Kearney Walton who played Kiram the Sultan and foreshadowing later roles in Hollywood, Herman Brix as Col. Jefferson Budd. After graduation, Herman Brix would become an Olympian and actor, later known as Bruce Bennett. (1924 Tahoma, p. 164-67) G64.1-073

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1920-1930; Walton, Kearney; Brix, Herman;

These nine fair maidens were part of Stadium High School's Senior Class play, "Sherwood," in May of 1922. "Sherwood," by Alfred Noyes, told the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian in five acts. Directed by drama teacher Alberta Black, it played to packed houses on its two-day run. It was deemed a success by the News Tribune in their review of May 20, 1922, and acquired equal accolades noting "true talent combined with earnestness and enthusiasm" from the Tacoma Daily Ledger. The actresses in the above photograph were not identified. G64.1-051 (TNT 5-20-22, p. 7-article; TDL 5-20-22, p. 10-article)

Actresses; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Another in a series of home economics photographs featuring Elna sewing machines. Girls at Stadium High School are busy during the morning home economics class conducted by Vella Boyles at Stadium High School on April 17, 1969. The brightly lit room was well equipped with many Elna sewing machines, enough so that each student present had a machine to herself. Elna, a Swiss company established in 1940, was well known for its compact sewing machines. Photograph ordered by Homemaker Supply Co., Portland.

Home economics--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sewing--Tacoma; Sewing machines; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Publicity photograph for the 1952 Stadium High School class reunion. The chateau-styled school is in the background. The Stadium High School class of 1952 would be celebrating its 20th class reunion with a social hour and dancing at 565 Broadway on August 5, 1972. A midnight breakfast would conclude the gathering. Classmates involved in planning the reunion were: (L-R) David Hedberg, Dr. Anthony Milan, Robert Patterson, Mrs. Jack (Carol Semmern) Hamilton, Mrs. William (June Otto) Tennyson, Mrs. Lynn (Kathleen Sharman) Sommers, Mrs. Earl (Gwen Collier) Pitz, Mrs. Warren (Sharon Parizek) Brown and Warren Brown. Photograph ordered by Lynn Sommers. (TNT 7-23-72, B-8 article )

Reunions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Committees--Tacoma--1970-1980; Milan, Anthony; Patterson, Robert; Hamilton, Carol; Tennyson, June; Sommers, Kathleen; Pitz, Gwen; Brown, Warren; Brown, Sharon;

Close-up of Stadium High School musical director, Clayton Johnson, in March of 1937. His youth orchestra was practicing for the upcoming original opera, "Masquerade," written by Mr. Johnson himself. All eyes are properly on the director as he begins to conduct.

Johnson, Clayton; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Stadium High "bench warmers." Boys sit on a concrete platform in front of school on opening day in 1935. (T. Times, 9/4/1935, p. 1)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In March of 1937, the Stadium High School orchestra was tuning up and practicing for the upcoming premier of the original opera "Masquerade," written by their instructor Clayton Johnson, shown here conducting. Mr. Johnson graduated from the College of Puget Sound and after further studies, returned to Tacoma to take the post of Director of Music at Stadium High School. He held that position for 30 years, counting among his students Janis Paige, star of stage and screen, and Metropolitan Opera performers Roald Reitan and Hugh Thompson. "Masquerade" was one of two operas Mr. Johnson wrote during his tenure at Stadium. He died in June of 1982 at the age of 83. (T. Times, 04-01-1937, p.1; TNT 06-21-1982, pg. C-12)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Johnson, Clayton; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1904. The old Tacoma Tourist Hotel being rebuilt into Stadium High School, Tacoma, circa 1904. It opened as Tacoma High School in September of 1906 with 878 students and 38 teachers.

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1900-1910; Tourist Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels-- Tacoma--1900-1910; Streets--Tacoma--1900-1910; Building construction--Tacoma--1900-1910;

In March of 1926, Stadium High School initiated its own branch of the national "Longfellows" Club. Members had to measure in at over six feet in height to join. The new club attracted a group of approximately 50 young men who posed in front of Stadium High School at 111 North "E" Street. (WSHS; A-1488 same photo without lettering)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Longfellows Club (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;