ca. 1913. This is the newly built Central School, 601 South 8th St., circa 1913. Located on the site of the former Washington College and Tacoma High School, it replaced the original 12-room wooden structure with 90-foot belltower at South 11th & "G" Sts. The former Central School had opened in 1883 serving grades one through eighth. On September 13, 1913, the new Central School opened under the guidance of principal George Stanley. 1000 elementary students moved into the grand $165,000 building at South 8th & Tacoma Avenue South. Walker Cut Stone Co. furnished the stonework on the multi-storied structure which had windows commanding splendid views of Mount Tahoma (Rainier). Generations of Tacomans were educated at Central School until the end of the 1967-68 school year when the building was converted to Tacoma School District's administrative offices. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 47-48, alt. photographs)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1910-1920;

1924's eighth grade class at Central School. The eighth grade girls wore fashionably bobbed hair and nearly calf-length dresses while the boys either wore suits with knickers or comfortably worn shirts. The eight-story Central School, located at 601 South 8th St., opened in 1913; local newspapers considered it to be one of the largest and the best in the West. G46.1-050

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; School children--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A packed classroom of children gaze at a new radio at Central School on September 19, 1930. TPL-3232; G46.1-051

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Radios;

ca. 1935. School boy patrol at Central School, circa 1935. In a Tacoma school safety program initiated in 1929, responsible students were selected to assist their fellow students in safely crossing busy streets. The chest crossing belt and the hand held stop sign designated a student as a patrol member and were considered badges of honor. (Photograph courtesy of the collection of William T. Case)

School safety patrols--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Case, William L.;

In January of 1936, an unidentified Central School Safety Patrol guard decked out in a new, bright yellow poncho and rain hat holds back a large group of children with his stop sign pole. By 1936, the Tacoma school safety patrol had overseen the street crossings for seven straight years without a single accident. To honor the guards' vigilance, they were given new uniforms that matched their yellow stop signs. (TNT 1/31/1936, pg. 1)

School children--Tacoma; Tacoma School Patrol (Tacoma); Central School (Tacoma);

On August 31, 1936 two unidentified workmen delivered fifty new typewriters to the Central School building at 601 South 8th Street - just in time for the new school year, which began September 1st. The typewriters were ordered from Stationers, Inc. at 926 Pacific Avenue. The "new" Central School opened in 1913, and was used as a school building until 1968 when it was converted to the Districts administrative headquarters.

Central School (Tacoma); Delivering--Tacoma; Typewriters; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1939, the All-City Elementary School Orchestra posed in front of a massive doorway at Central School. The young musicians came from area schools and were between the ages of 9 and 12. The group had formed in February and rehearsed on Saturdays. They were under the direction of Delwyn B. Jones, assisted by N. Walter Anderberg and Leslie Potter. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 5/12/1939, pg. 2- names in caption)

Children playing musical instruments; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Howard Goold, Tacoma Public Schools superintendent, accepts a $1000 check from George Childs, auditor for the Young Men's Business Club, on March 25, 1940 at Central School. The check was for funds raised by the YMBC and Tacoma public schools to send 40 selected musicians to the National Music Educators Music Festival in Los Angeles March 30-April 6th. From left to right are: George Childs (seated); Louis Wersen, supervisor of music for Tacoma schools; Superintendent Howard Goold and Milt J. Evans, chrm. of the YMBC "On to Los Angeles" committee. (T.Times 3-27-1940, p. 1-cropped photograph; TNT 3-27-1940, p. 1-alt. photo)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Shaking hands--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Checks; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Goold, Howard R., 1886-1971; Wersen, Louis; Childs, George F.; Evans, Milton J.;

Tower of Central School Building. The eight story Gothic structure was built in 1912 from a design by the architectural firm of Heath and Gove. In the 1940's, it was still serving as a primary school. It is now the headquarters of the Tacoma School District. (T. Times 1/17/1941, pg. 13)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma;

A class in singing is being held at Central School in January of 1941. The instructor, on the right, plays the accompaniment on the accordion while the choir, in front, leads the singing. Singers in the choir are, front row, Donna Emeott, Janey Harris, Keuzo Moriguchi, David Gimlett, Fred Raphael, and Keiko Fugii. Second row: Stewart Gilbreath, Joyce Powers, Kay Swanson, Barbara Guilmette, Barbara Putnam and Carol Stratton. Musical instruction was a key feature at the school with training given in singing, rhythm, sight reading, piano, strings, band and orchestra instruments. An effort was made to match the student with the right instrument. (T. Times 1/17/1941, pg. 13)

Central School (Tacoma); Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In the 1940s, Tacoma's Central School had a strong emphasis on music. Instruction was given in singing, sight reading, piano and virtually all band and orchestra instruments. Joseph Lento, pictured with guitar in January of 1941, taught a class on how to play guitar, ukulele, and banjo. Every Monday morning at 8:30 his "pick string" students met in the school's basement playroom for an informal concert. Musicians usually numbered 20-25, while audiences could reach over 100. (T. Times 1/17/1941, pg. 13-article & alt. photograph)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lento, Joseph; Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ukuleles;

In this photograph from January, 1941, Lennard Anderson, the head of the music program at Central School, uses a ruler to point to the short list of music questions that he wrote on the blackboard. The five attentive violin students are (l to r) Janice Wardle, Lila Lee Wright, Pearl Mehalick, Fred Remmen and Patricia Baldwin. The Central School staff believed that every student should have the opportunity to learn to sing or play a musical instrument. (T. Times 1/17/1941 p.13)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Violins; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anderson, Lennard; Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wardle, Janice; Wright, Lila Lee; Mehalick, Pearl; Remmen, Fred; Baldwin, Patricia;

Tower of Central School Building, Heath and Gove, Architects; 1912. Building is now headquarters of the Tacoma School District. (T. Times)

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma;

In January 1941, the music activities at Central School, 601 So. 8th Street, included this class for learning guitar, ukulele, and banjo. Joseph Lento is teaching: (l to r) front row - Ruth St. Clair, Eleanor Nelson, Betty Lou Fyke, and Jean Perella; middle row - Beverly Chistopherson, Jimmie Hutton, David Mottley, Kenneth Kennett, and Jane Maddon; back row - Billy Crom, Rosamond Fraser, Kay Fraser, Euleen Isaacson. Every Monday morning at 8:30 am the "pick string" students met in the school's basement playroom for an informal concert. At Central School they endeavored to provide every child an opportunity to learn to play some instrument or to sing. Instruction was given in singing, sight reading, piano and virtually all the band and orchestra instruments. The "pick string" instruments were those that did not use a bow, such as the banjo, guitar, mandolin and ukelele.(T. Times 1/17/1941 p. 13)

Central School (Tacoma); Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Guitars; Ukuleles;

1942 Rhythm class in drumming at Central School. Nearly 40 students stand by their desks with music books open and drumsticks in hand. Music was an integral part of Central School's curriculum as the school believed that every student should have the chance to learn to play an instrument or to sing. Lennard Anderson was the director of music at Central School for many years.

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Classrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rhythm class in drumming at Central School. Four small children study the intricacies of drumming on March 6, 1942, while under the steady gaze of their teacher. Central School, located at 601 South 8th St., emphasized music education for its small pupils.

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Central School. 1B Class. (T.Times) [Also dated 04-17-1943]

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

The lunch room at Central School, April of 1943. The first graders are studying a unit on making good choices for nutrition and also on preparing nutritious foods. (t. Times 4/24/1943, pg. 5)

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

Instead of dyeing Easter eggs in April of 1943, Central School's first grade class learns to cook while the country is at war. Barbara Johnson points to the recipe on the blackboard which indicates the amount of hot water needed to make hot cocoa. Allyn Pollock and Roland Morris are attentive to her instructions and are ready to proceed with preparing the meal. (T.Times, 4/24/1943, p.5)

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

On April 20, 1943, Simone Bland (right) tied Bennie Deschington's apron so that he could help prepare lunch for Miss Mildred Vaught's first grade class at Central School, 601 So. 8th St.. Miss Vaught was teaching her students basic cooking skills and nutrition in a unit based on the theme "Helping to win the war by keeping well." (T.Times 4/24/1943 p.5)

Elementary schools--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Children cooking--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bland, Simone; Deschington, Bennie;

Central School 1B Class. First graders learn to cook. Duane Carter, left, and Edward Mantell, right, wearing aprons, check the contents of a pan sitting on top of a hot plate. The hot plate is on a table with an empty milk bottle, a can of Nestle's cocoa and measuring cup. The boys are making cocoa, with materials supplied by the Dairy Council. (T.Times, 4/24/1943, p. 5)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central School (Tacoma); Children cooking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carter, Duane; Mantell, Edward

In 1943, Miss Mildred Vaught's first grade pupils at Central School abandoned the usual Easter festivities in favor of learning about preparing nutritious foods. The children, using materials and cookbooks provided by the Washington Dairy Council, studied a unit entitled "Helping to Win the War by Keeping Well." As many mothers left home to work in defense plants, filling shifts as needed, children were required to care for and feed themselves at younger ages. The children are lined up to receive supplies from Billie McDonald for their cooking lesson, which incorporated lessons in reading, writing, math and hygiene. From left to right: Kay Francis, Verle Wagner, Don Clarkson, Billy York, Rose Marie Guillaume, Bennie Deschington and Jack Heath. (T. Times 4/24/1943, pg. 5)

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

The students of Central School's first grade, led by their teacher Miss Mildred Vaught, are learning to cook on April 20, 1943. With so many mothers involved in the war effort, many kids were caring for themselves and siblings at younger ages. The lesson was geared to teaching them to prepare nutritious meals and included exercises in reading, math and hygiene. The students are lined up to get supplies for the day with Billie McDonald dispensing the supplies. (T. Times 4/24/1943, pg. 5)

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

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;

Four marble players at Central School exchanging marbles. Left to right: Sun Chow Ling, Vertis Barrett, Earl Carroll and Carl Jackson. The quartet was practicing for the Tacoma Times All City marble championship meet. (T. Times, 5/3/43, p.3)

Children playing with marbles--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central School (Tacoma);

Four young marble players at Central School practice for the Tacoma Times City Marble Championship. The winner received a $25 war bond. Left to right: Sun Chow Ling, Carl Jackson, Earl Carroll and Vertis Barrett. (T. Times, 5/3/43, p. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Children playing with marbles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Central School Board for war finance. Tacoma School District contributed $110,000 to the Fifth War Loan Drive. Left to right view of Bartlett Rummel, President of School Board, Ernie Wetherell, Secretary of the School Board, Melvin J. Eklund, Chairman of the 5th War Loan Drive, and Howard R. Goald, Superintendent of the Schools (T. Times, 6/28/44, p. 5).

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Tacoma Public Schools (Tacoma);

Central School, the first day of school. The school principal, L.P. Rosch, greets three sisters who are new to Central School. L-R, Christine Jackson, 2nd grade, Leanne Jackson, 1st grade, and Celie Jackson, 4th grade. (T.Times, 9/4/1946, p.1) TPL-6411

School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central School (Tacoma); Rosch, L.P.; School principals--Tacoma; Jackson, Christine; Jackson, Leanne; Jackson, Celie;