ca. 1934. General view of Jason Lee Intermediate School, circa 1934, with trolley wire in foreground. The Gothic Revival school designed by Roland Borhek opened in 1924. It was the first and largest of six new intermediate schools built from the proceeds of a 1923 bond issue. As more education became essential, the high schools were overcrowded. In 1920, the 6-3-3 elementary, intermediate, high school plan was designed to relieve overcrowding and a 2.4 million bond issue passed to build the 6 new schools. Originally named West Intermediate school, the name was soon changed to Jason Lee to honor an early Northwest missionary pioneer. The school is built on the site of the old College of Puget Sound campus at Sixth and No. Sprague. In 1928, the name was changed to Jason Lee Junior High, and later to middle school. ("For the record" by Winnifred L. Olsen)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Boy from Jason Lee Orchestra playing bassoon in front of school. The boy is probably Bruce Allen, a noted juvenile bassoonist, who would have been around 9 years old at the time of this picture. The bassoon is one of the most difficult wood instruments and is usually not attempted by such young players. By 1938, Bruce had been studying for over 2 years and played in the Tacoma Times Jr. Concert Band (formerly known as the Mickey Mouse Band.) He was placed first chair by the conductor of the Junior Orchestra at the 1938 high school music festival in St. Louis. (T. Times 1/8/1937, pg. 7; T. Times 5/20/1938)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Bassoons; Wind instruments; Allen, Bruce;

Jason Lee Junior High School 9A class in June of 1932. Group of students with sports equipment. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma)--Group portraits--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jason Lee School 9A class. The ninth grade class poses in the school gymnasium under a basketball hoop with a torn net. Jason Lee opened in 1924, the first and biggest of the six intermediate schools built with proceeds from a $2.4 million bond issue passed in 1923. By the end of its first year, the school was already overcrowded with 1600 students in a school built to accomodate 1200. It was added on to in 1968 and remodeled in 1966 and 1972. The school reopened in 2002 after extensive remodeling.

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1926. General view of Jason Lee Intermediate School, circa 1926. Jason Lee was built in 1924 from a design by architect Roland Borhek. The school was the first and largest of six new "intermediate" schools built after the 1923 bond issue. It was originally named West Intermediate, but the name was changed to honor Northwest missionary Jason Lee. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On November 2, 1939, the 39-member Jason Lee junior orchestra posed with instructor R.E. Fussell at the junior high school located at 602 North Sprague Avenue. First row (l-r): Betty Garvik, Betty Thatcher, Paul Grimes, Bob Smythe, David Johnson, Eddie Nelson, Neal Miller, Ted Lyon, Chester Ryan, Bob Axlund, Dick Brewster, Jewell Windh, twins Fern Tschan and Fay Tschan. 2nd row (l-r): Rose Manweiler, Ronald Swanson, Harold Prescot, Gloria Burkhart, Jean Vergowe, Arthur Gerlach, Bob Austin, Larry Allen, Darrell Marshall, David Keffler, Shirley Morgan, Melford Carnes, Mr. Fussell. 3rd row (l-r): David Hurlow, Geraldine Massie, Dick Milton, Virginia Karponi, Shirley Jensen, Herbert Rudolph, Randall Anderson, Robert Nixon, Billy Ellis, Harry Frazier, Roy Edwardson, Lewis Perkin, David Turenne. Some of these budding symphonists continued their musical training at Stadium High School. (T.Times 11-3-39, p. 20-alternate photograph & article)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brass instruments; Wind instruments;

Boys Glee Club in 1939 Christmas program at Jason Lee School. 34 boys on stage in pants, shirts, and jackets, half on either side of an altar with cross. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music education--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Girls Glee Club for 1939 Christmas program at Jason Lee. About 50 girls in long choir robes and director, half on each side altar with cross. (filed with Argentum)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music education--Tacoma--1930-1940;

General exterior view of Jason Lee Intermediate School taken in January of 1940. The school designed by Roland Borhek, Architect, opened for classes in September of 1924. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma;

This photograph of the Jason Lee Intermediate School (Middle School) at 602 North Sprague was taken several months after the school was officially dedicated. Designed by Roland E. Borhek, the gothic revival style school opened for classes in September of 1924. Originally named West Intermediate school, the name was soon changed to Jason Lee to honor an early Northwest missionary and pioneer of that name. The school, which recently underwent a $27 million restoration, is built on the site of the old College of Puget Sound campus at Sixth and No. Sprague. ("For the record" by Winnifred L. Olsen)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

All City Orchestra on stage at Jason Lee School. The All City Junior High School Orchestra represented six junior high schools as they prepared for the upcoming All City Music Festival to occur on May 3, 1940 at Jason Lee. The orchestra would be one of the major attractions of the festival which also included the All City Elementary School Orchestra and various glee and choral groups. Names of the young musicians in the Junior High Orchestra were listed in the Tacoma Times 5-3-1940 edition. (T.Times 5-3-1940, p. 11- alt. photo)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Stringed instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; All City Orchestra (Tacoma);

Performers in the spring music festival at Jason Lee. A series of gypsy, Spanish and Mexican musical numbers were performed under the title "Say It with Music," planned and staged by music teacher Kathryn Bruner. The concert included several hundred student performers from the boys and girls glee clubs, band, orchestra, choir and general music classes. Here the performers are attired in Mexican costumes. They performed folk and dance tunes from Mexico. (T. Times 5/10/1940, pg. 20)

Public schools--Tacoma; Music festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Costumes;

Spring Music Festival at Jason Lee Junior High. Many students in gypsy costumes on stage with covered wagon prop. The concert opened with a gypsy scene and continued with Spanish and Mexican sections, all woven together under the title "Say It With Music." (T. Times 5/10/1940, 20)

Public schools--Tacoma; Music festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Costumes;

On June 9, 1924, the graduating students and faculty at the College of Puget Sound gathered to bid farewell to the old campus at 602 North Sprague Avenue (now the site of Jason Lee Middle School.) The building was constructed in 1903 from a design by George W. Bullard; and demolished in 1924 after the college moved to its new location at 1500 North Warner. The 21st Commencement Exercises were held on the morning of June 11th at Jones Hall on the new campus. (TNT 6/11/1924, pg. 11) Boland# B10257

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1920-1930;

How to Teach Religion was one of the classes taught at the College of Puget Sound's summer session in 1922. Members of Professor Miller's class posed on August 2nd on the steps of the main building. The school had been established in 1888 by the Methodist Episcopal Church. G67.1-016

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Mr. Eiselen conducted a Bible seminar at the College of Puget Sound's Religious Education summer school in 1922. The students, mostly male, posed on the steps of the school, then located at 602 No. Sprague Ave. (now the site of Jason Lee Middle School) . The man in the top row, far left next to the column, has been identified as Tom Swayze who would become Tacoma's City Controller and later state Director of Licenses. TPL-6688; G67.1-020

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Swayze, Tom;

A class in "Primary Methods" was taught by Mrs. Hayner during the 1922 summer session at the College of Puget Sound. There were several different classes in the Religious Education department being held at the college, then located at 602 No. Sprague Ave. The small class posed on the steps of the school on August 2, 1922. G67.1-019

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Twelve members of the Y.W. C.A. cabinet posed on the porch steps of the College of Puget Sound's main building on November 10, 1922. At that time, C.P.S. was located at 602 North Sprague Avenue (now the site of Jason Lee Middle School). The annual Y.W.C.A. advisory board tea was held on November 23, 1922, to honor C.P.S. girls. Many of the school's female students were interested in the college Y.W.C.A. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-5-22, 4-D-article on tea)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1907. Established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888 as Puget Sound University and reorganized in 1903 as the University of Puget Sound, the university opened its first permanent campus at 602 North Sprague Ave. that year. Noted architect George W. Bullard designed the buildings. In 1924 the university moved to its present location at 1500 North Warner and the buildings were demolished. Jason Lee Intermediate (now Middle School) was built on the site of the former campus. From 1914-1959 U.P.S. was known as the College of Puget Sound before resuming its current name.

University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1900-1910; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1900-1910;

Jason Lee Intermediate School, Boys' Glee Club. Overhead view in October of 1940 of 42 uniformed boys in three columns of 14. The Glee Club is made of boys currently in vocal music classes and performs under the direction of Kathryn Bruner. They would be performing at the first fall concert for the St. Cecelia Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T. Times 11/8/1940, pg. 13 boys' names in caption)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Choirs (Music); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Jason Lee Intermediate School, Boys' Glee Club. Forty-two boys in uniforms gathered around a piano in October of 1940. The Glee Club is made of boys currently in vocal music classes and performs under the direction of Kathryn Bruner. They would be performing at the first fall concert for the St. Cecelia Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T. Times 11/8/1940, pg. 13 (names in caption); 11/1/1940, pg. 11)

Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Pianos; Choirs (Music); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Over 200 students took part in the vaudeville show produced at Jason Lee School on April 29th, 1941. The boys in the PE department participated in tumbling acts. Boys pictured on stage, two doing handstands, two pushups, the rest forming three human pyramids. (T. Times 4/21/1941, pg. 9)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Acrobatics--Tacoma; Gymnastics--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma; Boys--Tacoma; Children exercising;

Cast of vaudeville show at Jason Lee School. 14 young people on stage, five girls and nine boys, in Mexican costumes. Three boys are a band, one is a solo dancer, the rest are coupled with the girls for dancing. Over 200 students would take part in the Jason Lee vaudeville show. The show was sponsored by the Student Improvement club as a benefit for the visual education department. (T. Times)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma; Boys--Tacoma;

Students at Jason Lee Junior High School, 602 No. Sprague Ave., study in their school's new science lab on April 18, 1968. Spacious work tables with built-in sinks, bright lighting, wood flooring, and lots of storage capacity were part of the science facility. A PE/industrial arts addition was planned for the near future; this was part of a $264,000 remodeling project. This photograph was used in a News Tribune ad dated May 13, 1968, asking for school bond passage. If the bond passed, similar labs would be built at Stewart, Gray and Mason Junior Highs for $90,000. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support. (TNT ad 5-13-68, p. 6)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Laboratories--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Crowd of voters at Jason Lee School, Times, Sam Angeloff. A man is entering a voting booth while a crowd of other adults wait their turn to vote. 1948 pitted Harry S. Truman against Thomas E. Dewey for President and Arthur B. Langlie against Mon C. Wallgren for Washington State Governor.

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Voting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Philharmonic at Tacoma Schools. Miss Jean Winter's students at Jason Lee Junior High School listen to music on a phonograph player in preparation to attend the second young people's concert of the season sponsored by the Tacoma Philharmonic and Meadowsweet Dairies. (TNT, 2/14/1949, p.2)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Classrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma);

Tacoma Philharmonic at Tacoma Schools. Miss Jean Winter's students at Jason Lee Junior High School sit two to a seat for voice class. Miss Winter plays the piano at the front of the classroom while one of the students directs.

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Classrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singing--Tacoma; Music education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma);

Boy scout rally at Jason Lee Junior High. Superior Court Judge W.A. Richmond salutes the Cub Scouts during a Boy Scout rally of the Mt. Rainier Council at the Jason Lee auditorium, where he was the principal speaker. G. Kennard and Walter Stauffacher, both scout officials, stand behind Judge Richmond. A Court of Honor was held to recognize those scouts who passed scouting ranks since the first of the year. Names are listed in the newspaper account. Photo taken for Buzz, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/9/1949, p.8)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Richmond, W.A.; Kennard, G.; Stauffacher, Walter; Cub Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Boys--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Four couples are seen square dancing in Jason Lee Junior High School's gym in February of 1949. Beginning at left and working around the wheel are: Sandra Burrows and Jay Grimstead, Sara Lovell and Bob Lang, Pat Holmes and Billy Redfield, and Shirley Boyle and Fred Thomas. They were dancing to the music of Bob Hager's records. Folk dancing gained wider interest among Tacoma's schools during the late 1940's. This followed a national trend and clubs formed among adults as well as school-age individuals. (T.Times 2/20/1949 p.29; T. Times 2-6-49, p. 19-article on square dancing interest)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Jason Lee 1938 Orchestra posed in front of their school with their stringed instruments. The school had recently purchased violas and cellos, adding to the depth of the orchestra's sound. The three girls seated on the far right play the new violas. They are, left to right, Aura Russell, Marion Kittredge and Wanda Sanders. (T. Times 4/29/1938, pg. 8)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Stringed instruments; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Violoncellos;