Simone Bland (far left), Kay Francis, and Rose Marie Guillaume sit down to enjoy the fruits of the labors of Mildred Vaught's first grade students. In April of 1943 the first grade students at Central School learned about the complexities of cooking. Working with equipment and materials provided by the Washington Dairy Council, the students prepared their own lunch, and learned how cooking depends on the skills of reading, arithmetic, writing and hygiene. (T.Times 4/24/1943 p.5)

Elementary schools--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Children cooking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Central School 1B Class. First graders learn to cook. Two unidentified boys measure carefully the ingredients to their hot cocoa. They are learning to cook in a program, partially sponsored by the Dairy Council, entitled "Winning the war by keeping well." They are studying food preparation, as well as nutrition, while practicing their math and reading. (T.Times, 4/24/1943, p. 5)

Elementary schools--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Children cooking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Photograph labelled "Stanley School- 6A Class, June 1941"

Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

Exterior picture of completed Lowell Elementary, 810 No. 13th. Established in Old Tacoma in 1869, Lowell holds the distinction of being the district's oldest school. It was originally known as the First Ward School and served families living west of Division Avenue. After several locations, it was renamed Lowell School and was located at No. 12th & Yakima. When Tacoma's earthquake hit at noon on April 13, 1949, Lowell student Marvin Klegman was killed by falling chimney bricks when leaving his classroom to take his post as a patrol boy. Two other Lowell students were hurt and the school was condemned. Students finished out the year at Grant, Bryant and Jason Lee until they moved into their new classrooms on No.13th St. in November of 1950. Construction on the school was completed in February of 1951.

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This Brookdale Elementary School teacher appears to have called upon one little longhaired girl for her response to the "Bossy R" lesson in this Valentine Day, 1962, photograph. Children in this classroom were seated in the new portable building built extensively out of wood. Brookdale Elementary was built for the Franklin Pierce School District in 1957; classrooms could be added at a reasonable cost using wooden portables that were both modern and appealing to the eye. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Brookdale Elementary School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland--1960-1970; Classrooms--Parkland; School children--Parkland--1960-1970; Teachers--Parkland;

A Brookdale Elementary School teacher happily accepts a bouquet of posies from a young student at the doorway of a new portable classroom in August, 1962. Two buzz-cut boys holding books await their turn to greet the teacher. The portable building is colorfully decorated in bright, vibrant shades of blue and pink with brown cutouts of children playing on the school walls. Portable buildings were a welcome addition to schools coping with growing populations.

Brookdale Elementary School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland; School children--Parkland; Teachers--Parkland;

This is the original Central School, built in 1883 for $18,000 and located at 1114 S Altheimer (then S G St), now the area of Bates Technical College. It was modeled after the Euclid Avenue School of Cleveland, Ohio, by architect Joseph Sherwin of Portland. It stood out along the Tacoma skyline with its 90-foot bell tower visible for miles. The school contained twelve rooms and was considered a showplace for the city. Rapid growth made the enrollment climb to 964 by 1886, taught by a staff of 18 teachers. Remodeling and additions to the school occurred before the school moved its 1000 elementary students to a new Central School located at So. 8th & Tacoma Ave. So. in 1913. The new Central School cost $165,000, almost ten times the cost of the original school. The old Central School was demolished in 1914 and served as a hobo shelter for a few months prior to its demolition. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 47-48-various photographs) King 009, TPL 1103.

Back of photo:
Central school, S.W. corner of S.W. and G. St now the Bates Vocational School Tacoma, Wash.

Mrs. Lou Miller, principal and track coach of Ruston (grade) School, raises her gun to start her three students off running. The boys were practicing for the April, 1928 county grade school meet at Spanaway. Richard Andeson, farthest left, was entering his first meet. Donald Nevers (also spelled Neuens in the News Tribune article) and John Slavich were high point winners of their respective classes last year. Boys were divided into three classes according to weight, height and age. Ruston School planned to enter various dashes, baseball throws and relay races. The school fielded boy and girl track athletes; girls would also enter the Spanaway meet. Mrs. Miller had been coaching for several years with her charges performing admirably in their athletic endeavors. (TNT 4-18-28, p. 14)

ca. 1945. Thrift is a community south of Orting in rural Pierce County. Charles & Minnie Thrift began farming in the area about 1893. The Thrift School District later consolidated with the Kapowsin district. It is now part of the Bethel School District, which was created in 1949. This class photo was taken by photographer Chapin Bowen about 1945.

In 1922, small children lined up by wooden school desks to participate in a flag salute at an unidentified Eatonville grade school. This may have been a first or second grade class. School had only been in session since the beginning part of September so these small pupils could still have been learning school routines. G46.1-053

School children--Eatonville; Elementary schools--Eatonville; Public schools--Eatonville; Flags--United States; Flag salutes--Eatonville; Saluting--Eatonville;

Seven small children stand in front of the massive Roosevelt Elementary School, 3550 E. Roosevelt Ave., on January 12, 1928. This was the second building on this site as the original structure, built in 1904, was sold and removed upon the construction of a new brick building in 1921. Roosevelt Elementary was named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. The second Roosevelt Elementary would be subsequently remodeled and added onto in later years. BU-11341

Roosevelt Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Lowell School PTA and Preschool were preparing for the upcoming February 7, 1953 Mardi Gras/Carnival. Helping out were: (left to right) Mrs. James Byers, general co-chairperson Mrs. George Loring; Sharon Buxton; Mrs. Charles Longstreth; and general co-chair Mrs. Lars Jensen. Sign painter was Davy Wright. Balloons, clowns and games would serve as entertainment with the "New Orleans Court Cafe" open for sandwiches and pastries and a school talent show offered hourly. (TNT 2-4-1953, p. 20)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Byers, James--Family; Loring, George--Family; Buxton, Sharon; Longstreth, Charles--Family; Jensen, Lars--Family; Wright, Davy;

View of new portable classroom at Brookdale Elementary School, taken on February 16, 1962. The new structure, to the farthest right, is built extensively out of wood. It includes an overhang to provide shade on one side of the portable. Brookdale Elementary, located in the Franklin Pierce School District, was built in 1957, primarily out of brick. Douglas Fir Plywood Association helped in the building of the portable for Brookdale as well as one for James Sales Elementary. The units could hold 30 students and could be used until permanent structures could be built. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 11-22-61, p. 12)

Brookdale Elementary School (Parkland); Public schools--Parkland--1960-1970;

Lincoln School 6A class. Lincoln School was built in 1887 from a design by C.N. Daniels. The school was originally named West School, but underwent a name change to Lincoln in 1889. It was demolished in 1938. (WSHS)

Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln Elementary School (Tacoma);

Pet Parade at Spanaway Elementary School. Several children with dogs, some in costume. School building in background. Photograph taken in May of 1940.

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Dogs--Spanaway; Costumes;

May, 1949, Pet Parade at Spanaway School. Several children with dogs, some in costume. One child is wearing a dog costume, while his dog is dressed like a person.

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Dogs--Spanaway; Parades & processions--Spanaway; Bicycles & tricycles--Spanaway; Costumes;

Manitou School group. A group portrait of the third grade class at Manitou School in 1948. There are seven girls and fifteen boys. Economic pressures of World War I caused building of a new school in the Manitou neighborhood to be postponed. After approval of a bond issue a four-room tile structure was erected in 1919 at the new Manitou site. Additions and remodeling were done in 1924 and 1957. (For the Record, a History of Tacoma Public Schools, 1869-1984, by Winnifred L. Olsen) Format 5" x 8" TPL-9843

Manitou Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Jefferson Elementary School, detail view of end wall. Brick building with double doors and a small curved roof above. Ordered by Washington Stove Works.

Jefferson Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Jefferson Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Stove Works (Everett);

The 12-room Lowell Elementary School at 810 North 13th Street, built to replace the original Lowell School, was completed in February 1951. This view of the exterior of the school shows the concrete steps up to the entrance of the two-story school. Lowell School can trace its history back to the first school in Tacoma, a cabin built at North 28th and Starr streets. The school shown replaced the Lowell school built in 1892; that building had to be torn down after being damaged by the great 1949 earthquake. (Ordered by Washington Stove Works, Everett, Washington.)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The first grade students in Miss Mildred Vaught's class at Central School gather at a table to study their cookbooks during the lesson on "Winning the war by keeping well." The children studied cooking and nutrition, while also practicing reading, writing, math, hygiene and good manners. (T. Times 4/24/1943, pg. 5)

Elementary schools--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Children cooking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

6th Grade students, Stanley School, Mr. Thune. The graduating 6th grade class posed in front of the school in May of 1949. Several of the boys are wearing safety patrol badges and shoulder straps. Elmer Thune was the school's Principal.

Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

Lowell students and their principal prepare for a howling good time at the '53 Halloween Carnival. The Lowell School Parent-Teacher and Preschool Association sponsored a school carnival on Friday October 23, 1953. Pictured left to right are Sammie Warren, Nancy Conly, principal Clarence Monson, Andy Levesque, Tommy Rowland and Judith Sleep.With his chef's hat and apron, Principal Monson looks as if he'll be manning the hot dog grill. The carnival midway had over 30 booths including fun booths where students could throw darts at balloons or shoes at stuffed animals; food booths with ice cream, hot dogs and pop corn; and craft booths where they could make decorations or put on make-up. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. A-11)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Monson, Clarence; Warren, Sammie; Conly, Nancy; Levesque, Andy; Rowland, Tommy; Sleep, Judith;

View of Lowell Elementary School. The roots of Lowell School run deep as it is the Tacoma School District's oldest school. Established in 1869, and originally known as the First Ward School, it served families living west of Division Avenue in Old Tacoma. After moving to several locations, it was renamed Lowell after the American poet James Russell Lowell in 1890. A new Lowell School was built in 1950 on North 13th & Yakima Sts. as the nearly sixty year old Lowell, located a block away, was condemned following the 1949 earthquake. Students were moved into the new classrooms in November, 1950, although total construction was not completed until February, 1951. Photograph ordered by Bonnell Construction. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 43)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1901. Sepia photograph of a Lincoln Elementary School class in 1901. Standing on the steps of Lincoln Elementary are numerous students; in the third row, second from the left is reportedly Jeston Reed Foss. Originally named West School, construction began on the new school at 1610 South K Street (now MLK Way) in 1887. It was renamed in honor of President Abraham Lincoln in 1889. The school began as a two-room school with two grades; by 1890, it had four grades and five teachers. The school was closed and demolished in 1938. Most of the students and staff were transferred to McCarver Junior High where they joined students from Longfellow to form a new elementary school. Others were assigned to either Central or Stanley schools. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 57) (note: the same photograph is identified in Olsen's book as Hawthorne School)

Lincoln Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1900-1910; School children--Tacoma;

Miss Berg's first grade class at Lowell School. The children are all clutching small postcard-sized cards while one young man waits with an open bag. The classroom flag is hoisted by a boy dressed neatly in suit and tie. Miss Berg would later teach third grade at Lowell where one of her pupils was George Weyerhaeuser, victim in the 1935 famous kidnapping. TPL-5797; G46.1-054

School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Berg, Lucille; Teachers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flags--United States;

Lincoln School graduating class, January of 1925. Same group as A image 642, also A612-0. (WSHS- negative A643-0)

Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln Elementary School (Tacoma);

Pet Parade at Spanaway School. Pets of all types were exhibited at the annual pet show May 15, 1940 at Spanaway School. Photograph shows most of the winners of the various events. Large group of children dressed in costumes with their dogs. Exterior of one-story school building in background. Active boys are climbing on building and hanging from roof while teachers concentrate on parade group. (T. Times 5/17/1940, pg. 8)

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Animal shows--Spanaway; Parades & processions--Spanaway; Bicycles & tricycles--Spanaway; Costumes;

1940 Pet Parade at Spanaway Elementary School. In a turn from the usual, the boy is dressed in a dog suit with a paper mache head and long ears and the dog is dressed as a human.

Spanaway Elementary School (Spanaway); School children--Spanaway; Pets; Parades & processions--Spanaway; Dogs--Spanaway; Costumes;

Sherman School 6A class. Children in front of school with teacher, possibly Professor Brown, in June of 1927. Sherman was built at this location in 1891 and was named in honor of Civil War Union Army general William Tecumseh Sherman. It was razed in 1953. (WSHS)

Sherman Elementary (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Education--Tacoma;

Two workmen standing on scaffolding are removing plywood forms from a ceiling at Lowell School. A new building was necessary since the older school had been declared unsafe after the April 1949 earthquake. This was the second disaster survived by the school. The log cabin school at the corner of North 28th and Starr streets burned in a mysterious fire in 1875. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mr. McCallum. (For the Record, Winnifred L Olsen)

Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma)--Buildings; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Construction workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;