Stadium High School as captured in print by photographer Marvin Boland on January 15, 1921. The building had started as a hotel in 1890, never completed as such, and converted to a high school in 1905. It opened in 1906 as Tacoma High School with its name changing to Stadium High school in 1913. The brick structure strongly resembled an old French castle with its turrets and steep roofs.

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

Stadium High School Student Council. Elected members of Stadium High School's Student Council posed in front of the school on January 19, 1925. The energetic council put forth many improvements during the school year, including organization of the Sophomore Class, planning for the annual Night Shirt Parade, funding matinee dances, and painting and repairing projects including fixing the drainage system on the corner of North 1st and Tacoma Avenue. The Tahoma, school annual, noted that the council's greatest accomplishment may have been the establishment of an Honor Society. President of the Student Council was junior class president, Joseph Griggs. Mr. Griggs is believed to be in the second row, extreme left. TPL-6720; G47.1-029 (1925 Tahoma, p. 143-44)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Student organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

These students made up the Annual Cabinet at Stadium High School in 1925. They were in charge of selecting capable students to work on the Stadium yearbook, the "Tahoma." Second from left in back row was senior Lewis Tullus. Second from right in back row was senior Joseph Blum who also was named editor of the yearbook. (1925 Tahoma, various pages) G47.1-028

Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tullus, Lewis; Blum, Joseph;

Entrance to Stadium High School as pictured in April of 1928. Hedges flank the long walkway to the school's front doors. By 1928, students had been occupying the elegant structure for 22 years. It was rededicated in 2006 after major renovation. TPL-3142; G47.1-026; BU-11,373

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A Red Cross worker is pictured above flanked by eight women "soldiers" in tall hats, all with index fingers pointing upward. They were participating in the opera Mam'zelle Taps which was performed on stage at Stadium High School March 5-7, 1925, by members of the school's boys' and girls' glee clubs. It was the 13th annual musical production. Although the opera was set during wartime, it was played on a humorous note with the required happy ending. (1925 Tahoma, p. 66-67-articles)

Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Undated elevated view of of Stadium High School; copy made on May 28, 1926. Built for use as a hotel but never completed as such, it was converted into a high school in 1905. It supposedly resembles an old French castle and has an outstanding marine view. The school had its name changed to Stadium High School in 1913. It was rededicated in 2006 after two years of major renovation. TPL-2939 BU-11374

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma;

Undated photograph of Stadium High School overlooking Commencement Bay. This photograph of the majestic brick and turreted school was probably taken in the 1920s. Boland A7920.

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.);