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);

Exterior of Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Olympia, photo taken July 27, 1958. The buildings have a modern appearance; the larger two-story building with tall glass windows may have been the auditorium/gymnasium. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc., a laminating wood products company. Building identification provided by patron.

Public schools--Washington;

ca. 1890. This copy of an old lantern slide shows the original Annie Wright Seminary at 611 Division Avenue as it appeared around 1890. The large building, with its tall vertical proportions, steeply pitched roofs, towers and decorative shingles, appears to be in the Queen Anne style of architecture. The school, named in honor of the daughter of its benefactor, Charles Barstow Wright, opened on September 3, 1884, with a student body of 93 girls from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and one from Alaska. In 1924, a new school was built on a ten-acre campus a few miles west on Tacoma Avenue, and this building was dismantled. The site where it stood is home to Stadium Thriftway and the Chevrolet dealership recently purchased by Bruce Titus. ( Date of original glass plate may have been about 1890; copy made on October 3, 1958.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1880-1890; Private schools--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary's Masque Players production of the operetta "HMS Pinafore." The school presented the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera May 1-3, 1959 for Parents' Weekend. The 1959 Parents' Weekend was a special celebration of the seminary's 75th anniversary. The plot of the operetta revolves around a captain's daughter who falls in love with a common sailor. It was first produced in 1878 and is probably the pair's most popular work. The Masque Players production was directed by Mrs. Diedre Monks and the players were assisted by the school's glee club choir and dance troop. The production featured Mitzi Weiss as Josephine, Gundl Primus as Ralph Rackstraw, Cynthia Fanshaw as Captain Corcoran and Anne King as Buttercup. (TNT 4/26/1959, pg D-11)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. This appears to be a more intimate coffee shop atmosphere on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in 1955. Students could place their orders at the nearby counter and then relax alongside the large plate glass windows. This photograph was taken in the evening as students enjoyed their ice cream sundaes, pie and milk. The coffee shop, located in a spacious room in the new College Union Building overlooking Wheeler St., seats 90 persons. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 12-18-55, A-19, TNT 2-5-56, B-6) TPL-9321

Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Eating & drinking--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

St. Ann's School was dedicated on December 11, 1955. The new parochial school was built next to the church after which it was named. Here Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly shares a friendly word with one of the school children. Photograph ordered by St. Ann's Parish School.

Church schools--Tacoma; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; St. Ann's Parish School (Tacoma); Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Connolly, Thomas A.; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A classroom of beaming young girls greet the photographer on December 8, 1955. This was one of the primary grades at Annie Wright Seminary. The little girls are all wearing uniforms with white collars. Sandra Cheney, daughter of Ben Cheney, is seated on the extreme right, last seat. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Cheney, Sandra;

ca. 1956. Pacific Lutheran College Chorus. Professor Frederick L. Newnham directed the Pacific Lutheran College Chorus in 1956 due to the absence of R. Byard Fritts. The Chorus had a very active year with many public performances including the Christmas Concert, journeying to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, and a farewell concert for the servicemen at Fort Lewis. The Chorus was headed by Richard Farness, president. Names of individual chorus members are found in the 1956 Saga yearbook, p. 121. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College.

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Choirs (Music); Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

1956 May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Flag bearer Sophomore Barbara Staples leads in a group of petite and very young students dressed in full skirted white dresses with matching white anklets and white shoes and carrying flowers. The May Day court appears lined up in the background, ready to enter. (1956 issue of The Shield, Annie Wright yearbook, TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1))

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Staples, Barbara; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1956 May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Front row attendants, left to right: Marcia Jensen, Wendy Peterson, Sandy Cites, Janet Junkley, Gretchen Anderson, Debbie Kass, Hurlaine Johnson. Flag Bearers: Julia Mackay and Barbara Staples. Sceptre Bearer: Peggy Guyles. Crown Bearer: Mary McGoldrick. Second row, left to right: Mardi Camerer, Twyla Martin, Jane Fairbourn, Didi Camerer. Third row: Philinda Parry, Carol Somers, Joanne Ginn, Judy Spencer. Fourth row: Sandra Hagedorn, Becky Broughton (May Queen), Louanne Gibson (Maid of Honor), Wanita Townsend. Fifth row: Sondra Schafer, Nancy Lampson, Janet Haley, Nancy Steen. Sixth row: Sharon Reid, Sue Marie Lynn, Katie Bernhard, Jessie Nelson. Last row: Bobbie Allen, Helen Tompkins, Ann Wohleben, Kay Richards, Margot Hoffmeister, Sharon Ryder. Queen Rebecca Broughton was from Dayton, Wa. She was the Vice President of the Athletic Association and the yearbook noted that she was always cheerful, even on Monday mornings. (1956 issue of The Shield, Annie Wright yearbook, TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Broughton, Rebecca;

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel; steel roof decking on gymnasium at Puyallup Jr. High. The school was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, A.I.A., and constructed for a proposed cost of $850,000. This building would contain the physical education rooms, indoor courts, showers and dressing rooms. The school was built to accomodate up to 800 students.

Puyallup Junior High School (Puyallup); Public schools--Puyallup--1950-1960;

On August 19, 1959, eight co-eds from the Annie Wright Seminary lent a hand in mortaring the new library wing at the school. The girls were, left to right, Margaret Woodhams, athletics; Lib Hewitt, secretary service league; Frances Finnigan, Class VIII president; Peggy Yates, of Puyallup, senior yearbook editor; Caroline Woodhams, secretary treasurer of the student body; Shirley Cartozian, Christmas Carnival; Laurie Grenley, vice president freshman class; and Missy Hyde, Class VII president. This group was part of a larger planned gathering for class and school officers to make plans for the upcoming school year. The new library wing was completed in November of 1959 at at cost of $170,000. It was of Tudor design, with 4,000 square feet of room to house 16,000 volumes and 68 students. The upper floors had bedrooms, storage and bath space. Photograph ordered by AWS for the Tacoma News Tribune. (TNT 8/23/1959, pg. D-3-alternate photograph of students)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Woodhams, Margaret; Hewitt, Lib; Finnigan, Frances; Yates, Peggy; Woodhams, Caroline; Cartozian, Shirley; Grenley, Laurie; Hyde, Missy;

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;

A variety of photographs were taken of the Pacific Lutheran University campus in early October, 1960, by the Richards Studio, showing new facilities and improvements. The photograph above shows the Jacob Samuelson Chapel in the new Administration Building, a multipurpose room used for devotional meetings, closed circuit TV lectures, and recitals. It utilized an innovative notion--multiple television sets mounted on walls to provide students with a clearer view of professorial lectures broadcast from the school's own new studio. The chapel was a gift from Mr. Samuelson's estate. (TNT 10-13-60, C-6)

Universities & colleges--Parkland--1960-1970; Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Televisions; Pianos; Lecture halls--Parkland;

ca. 1956. The new West Hall dormitory building at Pacific Lutheran College. The new dorm had been built at a cost of $580,000 and would provide housing for 151 women. Its "L" shape formed a rectangle with the North and South Halls, completed 2 years ago, at the west end of the campus. The building was 3 stories of steel, concrete and masonry construction, with a solid brick exterior. Students posed in front are, left to right, Twila Gillis, Carolee Chindgren and Richard Rhea. 1323 students were expected to start classes at PLC in September of 1956, a 13% increase over 1955. For the first time since World War II, women would outnumber male students 664 to 659. They came from 21 states, 2 territories and 3 foreign countries.They would be taught by 70 full time faculty members and 8 part time teachers. For the first time, a total of 22 majors would be offered. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-8, 10/19/1956, pg. B-1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Gillis, Twila; Chindgren, Carolee; Rhea, Richard;

ca. 1956. The new West Hall dormitory building at Pacific Lutheran College. The new dorm had been built at a cost of $580,000 and would provide housing for 151 women. Its "L" shape formed a rectangle with the North and South Halls, completed 2 years ago, at the west end of the campus. The building was 3 stories of steel, concrete and masonry construction, with a solid brick exterior. Students posed in front are, left to right, Twila Gillis, Carolee Chindgren and Richard Rhea. 1323 students were expected to start classes at PLC in September of 1956, a 13% increase over 1955. For the first time since World War II, women would outnumber male students 664 to 659. They came from 21 states, 2 territories and 3 foreign countries.They would be taught by 70 full time faculty members and 8 part time teachers. For the first time, a total of 22 majors would be offered. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-8, 10/19/1956, pg. B-1)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Gillis, Twila; Chindgren, Carolee; Rhea, Richard;

Homecoming Queen and court for Pacific Lutheran College. PLC Homecoming for the school year 1956-57 was a special nod to the Walt and the Mouse with a Disneyland theme. Just like in Cinderella, the queen's glass slipper would only fit Homecoming Queen Carol Bottemiller (center.) Her court included Princess Winnie Mitton (left) and Princess Betty Soine (right.) Queen Carol was from Milwaukie, Oregon and was majoring in physical education. She planned to be a high school teacher. Princess Winnie (Winnifred) was from Milton, Wa., graduated from Fife High School and majored in education. Princess Betty was from Bellingham, Wa., and received a B.A. degree. More than 1,100 people watched the crowning ceremony. Although homecoming had been celebrated at the College for many years, the first Homecoming Queen was elected in 1941. (TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-1+ and the 1956 "Saga.")

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Bottemiller, Carol; Mitton, Winnifred; Soine, Betty;

Progress photographs--new junior high. The unusually shaped cafeteria/auditorium is taking shape at the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (now Middle School) on June 26, 1957. Resembling a wooden mushroom, the new facility would be able to accommodate students for both meals and assemblies. It would be built separate from the main buildings on campus. The Henry F. Hunt Junior High School would serve, as it still does, the growing neighborhoods of Tacoma's West End and nearby Fircrest. Tacoma Community College would be built just a couple blocks away in 1965. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

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

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;

A new Aquinas Academy rose on the site of the former girls' school in 1957. A workman is shown on August 28, 1957, smoothing down a concrete walkway in front of the modern pre-fabricated concrete building. The original Aquinas Academy opened in Tacoma under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1899. The school was razed in October, 1955, and a new school with facilities for 400 students was designed by local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. The new Aquinas was dedicated on October 27, 1957, by Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. The three-story building had 10 classrooms, a library, two science laboratories, a home economics room, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. It was built at a cost of $656,000. 1112 North "G" St. is now the site of the Saint Patrick School. When Aquinas vacated the building in 1974 to consolidate with Bellarmine and Saint Leo's as Bellarmine, Saint Patrick School left their 55-year-old building at North 11th & "J" and moved down the hill to occupy the newer Aquinas structure. Photograph ordered by Catholic Northwest Progress. (TNT 10-27-57, B-8; www.saintpats.org) ) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Patrick's Parochial School (Tacoma);

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;

Students at Annie Wright Seminary gather outdoors on May 18, 1957, for the annual Dads Day festivities. These girls look like they are enjoying the activity before them. They may be cheering on their personal favorites. Most of the girls are wearing the traditional uniforms with a few dressed in more sporting gear. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;

Cheerful wooden cut-outs of children playing greet the pupils of Brookdale Elementary School who attend classes in the new portable building on February 16, 1962. Wide wooden steps with hand railings lead to the classroom door. Brookdale Elementary is in the Franklin Pierce School District and located at 611 - 132nd St. So. in Parkland. The new portable is situated close to the original brick buildings and next to the school playground. It was built with the assistance of Douglas Fir Plywood Association. A portable classroom was constructed about the same time at James Sales Elementary; the units were built with different methods and time and motion studies taken to compare scientifically. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 11-22-61, p. 12)

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

Side-and-rear view of new portable classroom at Brookdale Elementary School on February 16, 1962. Small shrubs have been planted at the corners of the classroom which is located next to the school's fenced playground. The portable, in contrast to the original 1957 school buildings, is made extensively of wood. There is no concrete foundation and the overall look is very contemporary and sleek. A wooden overhang guards the classroom from too-bright sunshine, and some of the windows are louvered. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 11-22-61, p. 12)

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

Mouths opened wide, these Tacoma Public School pupils are learning the intricacies of the English language as they practice their vowels and consonants on November 9, 1965. The young teacher points to the word "powder" on the blackboard as her small group follows along. Photograph ordered by Tacoma School District.

Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Teachers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Blackboards;

Tacoma Vocational-Technical with large radio tower. Tacoma Vocational-Technical was located at the corner of So. 11th & Yakima Avenue across from the State Armory. Its first building was constructed in 1941 on the east side of the campus, with additions in 1949, 1965 and 1970. This photo on February 26, 1962, shows a momentary pause in usually busy Yakima Avenue traffic. A few people appear to be waiting to enter the school, perhaps members of the Citizens Committee for Schools, who were scheduled to visit and later make recommendations to the school board. Tacoma Vocational Technical School was later renamed the L.H. Bates Vocational-Technical Institute in 1969 to honor training director L.H. "Vern" Bates. It is still at the same location in 2004. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for Schools. TPL-6459

Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute (Tacoma); Vocational education--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;

Circulation clerical assistant Mrs. Olga S. Fisher assists a young man at the Pacific Lutheran University library on January 16, 1963. There are shelves of reference books beside her; use of these books was limited to one-hour. (1963 Saga Annual, p. 36)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Libraries--Parkland; Books; Fisher, Olga S.; Students--Parkland--1960-1970;

An unidentified Pacific Lutheran University student receives one-to-one instruction from a chemistry professor believed to be Dr. Laurence D. Huestis on January 16, 1963. Dr. Huestis had joined the faculty at PLU in 1961 after receiving his Ph.D from the University of California. (1963 Saga Annual, p. 21)

Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Teachers--Parkland--1960-1970; Students--Parkland--1960-1970;