Located at the corner of South 70th and "G" Streets in the city's south end, St. Ann's Parish School was dedicated on December 11, 1955. The new parochial school, which had opened in September, was built next to the church after which it was named. Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly of Seattle provided the blessing, which included the flag shown flapping in the breeze as well as crucifixes and the building itself. The modern brick veneer structure was equipped with a multitude of windows to let in the natural light. Designed by architects McGuire and Muri, it had a modern butterfly roof. A pylon rose above the school entrance; it had on it the school name in large letters. The school was built for $162,500 and contained eight classrooms with room for 320 students. Photograph ordered by St. Ann's Parish School. (TNT 10-23-55, A-6, TNT 12-12-55, p. 16)

Church schools--Tacoma; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; St. Ann's Parish School (Tacoma); Flags--United States;

Dedication by bishops and other clergy of St. Ann's Parish School on December 11, 1955. Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly is shown conveying his blessing upon the new parochial school's crucifixes and the American flag. He is flanked by Father J.F. Milner of St. Ann's Catholic Church and Father E.L. Berry, assistant director of the school. The new elementary school was located on the same block as St. Ann's Catholic Church in the southend of Tacoma. Sister Daniel was the school principal with nuns as most of the teachers. The $162,500 school was designed by architects McGuire & Muri; a $74,000 convent for teaching nuns was built at the same time in the vicinity of the school. Photograph ordered by St. Ann's Parish School. (TNT 10-23-55, A-6, TNT 12-12-55, p. 16)

Church schools--Tacoma; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Ann's Parish School (Tacoma); Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Connolly, Thomas A.; Milner, J.F.; Berry, E.L.; Crucifixes; Flags--United States;

Professor Gunnar Malmin, Director of Pacific Lutheran College's Choir of the West, stands at the base of the cross composed of choir members in January of 1956. The choir was taking its annual two-week tour through the Pacific Coast states of Washington, Oregon and California where it presented a sacred music-only program. It appeared before many civic organizations and church groups. Besides the tour, the choir also appeared on many radio broadcasts and gave a concert, for the first time, at the state prison. Names of choir members are listed in the 1956 PLC Saga yearbook. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (1956 Saga yearbook, p. 120-alt. photograph)

Choirs (Music); Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Malmin, Gunnar J.; Students--Parkland--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;

Pacific Lutheran College's May Festival. Eight couples perform a folk dance. The entertainment included a demonstration of folk art from Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Spain and the U.S. The women are dressed in skirts with contrasting ribboned stripes at the bottom, short vests, white blouses and flower chains in their hair with cascading ribbons. The men are dressed in white shirts and pants with string ties and bright tied scarves at the waist. (The 1956 yearbook "Saga", TNT 4/29/1956, pg. D-2)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Parkland--1950-1960;

Dupont School pictures; school girls. Dupont is located between Ft. Lewis and the Nisqually reach in Pierce County. It was named for E. I. du Pont de Nemours Company, a manufacturing leader in explosives. However, by the 1950's, most of the student body came from Ft. Lewis families. The girls are wearing skirts or dresses, no slacks were allowed at school. Many wear socks with their shoes.

School children--Dupont; Dupont School (Dupont); Girls--Dupont--1950-1960;

The May Queen and her court. Queen Erin Lombard is surrounded by the 26 members of her senior class, maid of honor Marilyn Wotton, flag bearer Eleanor Walker, and numerous kindergarten attendants as she reigns over the 1953 May Day festivities. Positioned on the giant steps in front of ivy-covered halls of Annie Wright Seminary, Queen Erin is seated on a flower bedecked rattan chair, her long train cascading down in front of her. The entire school would be present to honor the May Queen as well as alumnae and friends. It would be the final farewell to the school before graduation for the senior class and queen. (TNT 5-3-53, D-2, TNT 5-17-53, D-1, The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 45)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lombard, Erin; Wotton, Marilyn; Walker, Eleanor;

Although Annie Wright Seminary was a girls' school, little boys were allowed to attend the K-4 and K-5 classes. Here they participated with the girls in various pre-school and kindergarten activities like taking field trips to Point Defiance Zoo and riding the train to Olympia, building a creche for Christmas, marching in Easter and Halloween parades, and creating their own "made-up" dances and songs. The entire school would also participate in special events, such as the May Day festival, to honor the May Queen and her court. These 22 children were probably dressed to perform in a program of modern dance under the direction of Nancy Jane Bare. (The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 31)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension on grounds. Marymount was the only military school for boys in the state of Washington. The school was also a charter member of the National Rifle Association. The five building structure in the Lombardine Mission style was nestled in the trees on the original J. Shields estate "Shangarry," purchased by the Dominican Sisters in 1920. The Sisters ran the academic side of the school with a teacher-pupil ratio of 1-6. The academic standards were very high, while the military regimen and physical requirements were intended to mold the boys' characters.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension on grounds. Marymount was dedicated to the development of its young male student's characters, using the military training to develop habits of obedience, neatness, promptness and self-reliance. Marymount was named for "Mary," the mother of Jesus, and the inspiring view of "Mount" Tacoma seen from campus. The school existed as an academic entity for 54 years, originally as a military academy for boys preschool - 9th grade. In 1974, the Dominican Sisters decided that the military, warlike aspect of the school was not the correct image for a Catholic school and the Academy became primarily a boarding school catering to the wealthy. It no longer took younger students, only those in the 6th - 9th grade and eventually took day students also. The school closed in 1976, but the Sisters retained the property for some time after that. TPL-9702

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

Marymount Military Academy. The $200,000 modern Catholic Boys School was dedicated in May of 1923. The original school was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in Lombardine Mission style. It had a modern gym, pool and infirmary, as well as horse trails and stables, shooting ranges and playing fields. In addition, almost all food consumed here was raised at the school. Enrollment fluctuated over the years, but the school was designed to accomodate 150 boarding students from age 6-16. TPL-9103

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

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;

ca. 1953. Dupont School- School patrol. As the waves of post WWII babies entered public school, the schools begin to bulge at the seams. School enrollment in 1953 was the highest ever and Dupont School District #7 had 2 new schools; one at Ft. Lewis and one in the Dupont community, west of Hwy. 99. The Dupont school opened Sept. 29, 1953 with a new cafeteria and a lunch room and multipurpose room that doubled as a playroom and auditorium. The classrooms had blond wood and pastel colors. The school patrol includes both boys and girls, caucasian and African American.

School children--Dupont; Dupont School Patrol (Dupont);

St. Joseph School of Nursing, lounge at the Nurses' Home. The brick Gothic was built in 1891 and demolished in 1976. The building originally served as the hospital and later as the School of Nursing. The School closed in 1971. The room has bold wallpaper and is decorated for Christmas with a tree and presents.

St. Joseph's Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma); St. Joseph's Hospital Nurses Home (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary, Junior class play for the yearbook "The Shield." The Juniors presented French playwright Jean Cocteau's version of Sophocles play "Antigone." In the play, a headstrong and young Antigone defies her uncle, the King, to bury the remains of her brother. The lead roles were played by Heather Spence and Dorthea Weiss. (TNT 2/10/1954, pg. 3, 1954 AWS yearbook The Shield)

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

ca. 1954. Dupont School basketball team. This appears to be the school's varsity team. The boys are dressed in team uniforms topped by school jackets. In the 50's, Dupont schools offered grades K-9; students attended Clover Park High School for their last three years of study. The boy kneeling 4th from left has been identified as Scott Drysdale and the one next to the manager as John Sparks. (information provided by a schoolmate)

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

Getting ready for the April 23, 1954 Horace Mann PTA-Preschool carnival with a "Big Top" theme were: (left to right) Mrs. Albert Michel, PTA president; James Gibson, teacher and PTA school coordinator; Mrs. Charles Ayler, preschool president and seated in back, Mrs. A.C. Anderson, general carnival chairperson. The group posed with carousel horses from the B&I Sales. (TNT4-21-1954, B-7)

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Michel, Albert--Family; Gibson, James; Ayler, Charles--Family; Anderson, A.C.--Family; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; B&I Circus Store ;

Two Pacific Lutheran College students and Professor Robert C. Olsen appear to be observing a chemistry experiment in a May 30, 1954, photograph. An elements chart is placed above the blackboard on the wall behind the students.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Chemistry--Parkland; Olsen, Robert C.;

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;

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;

Members of the Citizens Advisory Committee inspect school classrooms on August 30, 1954. Mrs. A.A. Price is observed opening a small drawer in a large dilapidated work table while Mrs. Gordon Hartwick, of the League of Women Voters, looks on. William Rave of the Carpenters Union leans over a cracked and dirty fish tank. Peeling paint and dirt are clearly visible on the walls and shelves. This classroom has been identified as a fourth floor classroom in Stadium High School, probably Room 424 in the southwest tower. The Citizens Advisory Committee, representing 175 civic and service organizations, toured three northend schools and presented their findings to the Tacoma School Board. They advised replacement of Grant and Stadium schools and praised Sherman school for its modern facilities. (TNT 9-1-54, B-7)

Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms; Committees--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The Peninsula School District purchased five new International Harvester buses to transport their students in July, 1954. The buses are parked outside the massive multi-storied brick building housing the Peninsula High School. A field of tall grass adjoins the parking lot. Photograph ordered by International Harvester.

School buses--Gig Harbor; Peninsula High School (Gig Harbor); Public schools--Gig Harbor; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma);

Five new International Harvester school buses are lined up beside the Peninsula side entrance to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on July 25, 1954. They were purchased by the Peninsula School District #401 to transport the district's students. Each bus is lettered with the school district's name; in addition, each has a separate bus number labeled next to the doorway. Photograph ordered by International Harvester. TPL-2544

School buses--Tacoma; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Mrs. Richard Swanson, dressed as a "gypsy" fortune teller, sees a Carnival in the near future for Horace Mann students (l-r) Ann Michels, Richard Butsch, Phyllis Landis and Richard Swanson. The Parent Teacher and Preschool Association of the Horace Mann (Elementary) School at 5211 South K Street sponsored a carnival on Friday afternoon April 22, 1955 at the school. The "Gypsy Jamboree" had a candy shop, a bakery booth, ice cream sandwich bars and a country store. There were also games, a comic book shelf, a garden shop, a fish pond, novelties, a talent show and booths with dolls, toys and fancywork. (TNT 4/18/1955, pg. 12)

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Michels, Ann; Butsch, Richard; Landis, Phyllis; Swanson, Richard; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fortune telling--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dupont school's basketball team, the 1955 West Central Juniors Champions. #3 has been identified as John Welker, #9 as Scott Drysdale and #8 as Jerry Conwell. Noted educator Wendell B. Laughbon is standing at far left with principal John Zurflugh in bow tie in the second row. In the fifties, Dupont was a junior high school. Students attended Clover Park High School for the last three years of their study. In the early 70's, the Dupont school (by that time used only as a high school) closed. Weyerhaeuser purchased the old Dupont school property. (" A History of Pierce County, Vol. 1;" identification provided by a schoolmate)

Schools--Dupont--1950-1960; School children--Dupont--1950-1960; Basketball players--Dupont--1950-1960; Laughbon, Wendell B.; Zurflugh, John; Welker, John; Drysdale, Scott; Conwell, Jerry;

Queen Anne Cameron presided over traditional May Day ceremonies at Annie Wright Seminary on May 14, 1955. She is seated in the queen's chair decorated with blossoms while holding a golden scepter, symbol of her reign. Miss Cameron is the daughter of Harold W. Cameron and Mrs. Elford Cameron of Seattle. The queen's mother is also an alumna of Annie Wright. (TNT 5-22-55, D-7)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Cameron, Anne; May Day; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. The lovely Miss Marion Gabrielson of Eugene, Oregon, will be crowned 1955 May Queen at Pacific Lutheran College. Her coronation would take place during a program on May 4, 1955, in the college gym. She was a senior nursing education student. She poses here on the campus grounds in front of what is probably the Science Hall. She is dressed formally in an evening gown and holds a bouquet of spring daffodils and forsythia. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. D-1, 5/5/1955, pg. A-8)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Gabrielson, Marion; Beauty contestants--Parkland--1950-1960; Evening gowns--1950-1960;