Some of the hi-jinks of the annual Annie Wright Seminary's Dad's Day. Five upper class girls in matching dark blouses and white shorts and one brightly attired Dad perform a high kick routine to the delight of uniformed girls, their Dads and Headmistress Ruth Jenkins, at the bottom right of picture. Families were invited to the school for this special annual event and activities were planned for the students and their Dads.

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

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;

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Younger girls dressed in white dresses with sashes at their waists and dark ballet shoes perform a traditional Maypole dance to the delight of May Queen Becky Broughton and her court. The dancing girls are members of the school's third class. The dancers will twist the pole's streamers in an attractive pattern by going over and under the others' streamers. This largely European holiday celebrates the coming of summer. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. One of the biggest social activities at Annie Wright was that annual rite of spring, May Day. A May Day queen would be crowned in the midst of performances and activities for parents and students. The queen was traditionally a senior and her maid of honor a junior. These girls appear to be middle school age students, dressed in matching polka dot skirts. They will possibly be performing for the festivities, using the umbrellas. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. The young girls in the front wear dark sweaters, white blouses and either dark skirts or pants. They appear to be dancing the hokey pokey or the bunny hop in front of the ivy covered walls. The piano accompanist can be seen behind the railing. The woman to the left leaning against the railing in the picture hat is possibly Headmistress Ruth Jenkins. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

Dupont School, Ft. Lewis Midget Team. The baseball team, the "Tigers," pose in uniform with their coach in the center of the back row. By 1975, DuPont students no longer attended high school in their own hometown. Ft. Lewis now sent all of its students to Clover Park. DuPont's school Laughbon High, a victim of boundary disputes with Clover Park school district and declining enrollment, closed on June 11, 1975. Weyerhauser bought the land and demolished the buildings.

School children--Dupont; Dupont School (Dupont); Baseball--Dupont; Baseball players--Dupont;

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 September 26, 1956, the newly elected Lincoln High School yell staff for the 1956-57 school years posed on the school stairs. The octet included cheer leaders (back row) Mike Bashey, Sandy Toombs, Dick Davidson and in the center of the second row Carolyn Bartell; and song queens (second row, left and right) Kay Manful and Susan Gadbaw and (holding sign, left to right) Christine Hager and Margie (listed as Margery and also Marjorie) Lambert. All of the yell leaders, except Toombs, are listed with the 1957 graduating class. The yell staff of 1957 was instrumental in the adoption of "Onward Lincoln" as the Lincoln H.S. fight song. The group holds a sign with a new cheer (two cheer writing contests were held during the year): "Flying saucers, Man alive, Here comes Lincoln, In over drive, Do we love 'em, Well I guess, Lincoln High School, Yes Yes Yes!!" (The 1957 Lincolnian yearbook)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Cheerleading--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Bashey, Mike; Toombs, Sandy; Davidson, Richard; Bartell, Carolyn; Manful, Kay; Gadbaw, Susan; Hager, Christine; Lambert, Margery;

Pacific Lutheran College, exterior of the Music/chapel building with students. The building with the spire is the combination chapel, music and speech building dedicated in 1952 and designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards. The building is now known as the Eastvold Chapel, named after Dr. S.C. Eastvold, president of the college during its greatest period of growth. The three story building is concrete faced with brick and forms a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library (to the left of the picture) and Old Main. The library, science hall, chapel and student union buildings were all built around the same time period. The 126 acre campus had stately Douglas firs and lush green lawns that set off the neat modern buildings. It was considered one the finest small colleges in America. (TNT 10/19/1956, pg. B-1+)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings;

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;

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;

Under the direction of Gordon O. Gilbertson, the Pacific Lutheran College Concert Band during the 1956-57 school year performed many concerts, both at school and at neighboring locations, as well as providing added spirit to basketball and football games. The band is pictured here in the Music & Chapel building on January 17, 1957. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College.

Bands--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Two Annie Wright Seminary students stand at the net along with two men, perhaps their fathers, preparing to play tennis in May, 1957. Annie Wright traditionally had an annual Dads' Day when fathers spent the day with their children participating in various activities on school grounds. All four people pictured in this May 18, 1957, photograph are clutching wooden rackets; they are much smaller than the aluminum rackets used today. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

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;

Dads visited their daughters' classrooms during Dads' Day at Annie Wright Seminary on May 18, 1957. They were able to observe their children at work and at play. These girls are possibly in the Lower School. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

It appears that this father, although swinging mightily, is going to avoid contact with the ball during the 1957 Dads' Day baseball game at Annie Wright Seminary. The catcher has his arms extended to catch the ball. Other fathers await their turn at bat. Annie Wright annually held a Dads' Day in the spring where fathers and daughters bonded in various campus activities. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

Each year Annie Wright Seminary held a Dads' Day to honor students' fathers. A variety of activities was planned which dads and their daughters could enjoy. A smiling father prepares to take on his daughter in a game of tennis on May 18, 1957. They are both clutching Wilson tennis rackets with wooden frames. The dad is dressed in shorts and rolled up shirt but his daughter still has on her school uniform. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Tennis players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tennis rackets;

The timeless beauty of Tudor Gothic-style architecture is reflected in the ivy-covered columns of Annie Wright Seminary. The school was designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan and built in 1924 by J.E. Bonnell, contractor. In 1957 Annie Wright grew to include the construction of new classrooms and a music room. It was primarily a girls' school and attracted students from as far away as Hawaii. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Private schools--Tacoma; Vines--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings;

A worker appears miniscule as he stands high on top of the giant, curved beams that would hold up the dome shaped roof of the cafeteria/auditorium of the Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (later renamed Middle School) at 6501 So. 10th St. Posed under cloudy skies on June 26, 1957, the new wooden structure resembles a multi-legged spider. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price's unique designs was described as "one of the most imaginative new schools in the nation." Construction of a new junior high was approved because of the growing school age population in Tacoma's western region and in neighboring Fircrest. The school was completed in the summer of 1958, with an official dedication 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;

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;

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;

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 November, 1957, photograph may be that of the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School in the West End of Tacoma. The giant loaf-sized buildings in the rear could be the new gymnasium. The building to the foreground is apparently designed for classrooms. Constructed on one level, there are multiple skylights to add natural light to the new rooms. Tacoma's school population had been growing in the 1950's, possibly due to the "baby boom" following WWII, and school construction had to keep pace. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

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;

Gordon Gilbertson directed both the 27-piece orchestra and the 48-member concert band at Pacific Lutheran College in 1958. He is standing to the extreme left of the January 14, 1958, photograph, next to the bass player. The PLC Concert Band added to the spirit at football and basketball games with cheerful, colorful tunes. They also performed at the Rainier State School, McNeil Island, and the First Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Occupants of Eastern Washington, Idaho and Oregon were privileged to hear the concert band during its nine day tour. The band concluded its year with participation in the graduation ceremonies. Names of band members are listed in the 1958 SAGA yearbook. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (1958 SAGA yearbook, p. 97)

Bands--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Gilbertson, Gordon;