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;

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;

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;

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);

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;

Vaal Stark, regional director of Girl Scouts from Palo Alto, California, awarded Golden Eaglet insignia to Margaret Miller (center) and Winifred Tuft (r) of Tacoma at the spring Court of Awards ceremony held at Jason Lee Intermediate School in May of 1925. The Golden Eaglet was then the highest award given by the Girl Scouts. Recipients had to possess at least 21 merit badges, been a scout for at least three years and meet other obligations. Margaret Miller had earned 42 merit badges, achieved 100% attendance in four years at Scout meetings and won many honors. Winifred Tuft also had won honors in all branches of Scout work and had 100% attendance over two years at Scout meetings. G23.1-117 (TNT 5-8-25, p. 7, 10-articles; TNT 5-9-25, p. 1)

Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Awards; Stark, Vaal; Miller, Margaret; Tuft, Winifred;

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);

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;

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. 1934. Jason Lee School wrestling team, circa 1934. (WSHS)

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

ca. 1934. Jason Lee School baseball team, circa 1934. (WSHS)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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. Jason Lee Band. Students with instruments and conductor in front of school building. (T. Times 11/7/1935, pg. 14- see newspaper caption for names)

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

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;

ca. 1935. Jason Lee Orchestra. Students with instruments and conductor in front of school. (11/7/1935, pg. 14- see newspaper caption for names)

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

Jason Lee string orchestra with instruments in front of school. The orchestra, according to the Tacoma Times, was rated one of the best in its class. (T. Times 1/1/1937, pg. 3) (filed with Argentum)

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

Jason Lee Intermediate School Girls Glee Club photographed on December 18, 1936, in front of school. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

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

Jason Lee Boys Glee Club and adviser. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

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

Dancer Martha Graham from photographer Turner Richards' 1938 stock file. The famous dancer appeared at Jason Lee Auditorium at the invitation of the Tacoma Junior League on April 1, 1937. She and her modern dance troupe of 12 were met with enthusiasm by local residents. Proceeds from Miss Graham's appearance went to the Junior League's Well Baby Clinic project at the county hospital. A cropped and reversed version of this photograph can be found at D7505-6A. (T.Times 4-1-37, p. 3, 4-2-37, p. 8)

Graham, Martha, 1893-1991; Dancers--Tacoma;

Martha Graham gracefully lifted her arms in an interpretive dance during a April 1, 1937, appearance sponsored by the Tacoma Junior League. Miss Graham, born on May 11, 1894, was already a major force in modern dance by 1937 having already performed in sixty concerts in New York alone. Accompanied by musical director Louis Horst, Miss Graham and her troupe of twelve American girls were received by an enthusiastic audience in the Jason Lee Auditorium; her dance "Lamentation, " created in 1930, being perhaps the most popular. Proceeds from Miss Graham's performance were earmarked for the Well Baby Clinic at the County Hospital, a project of the Tacoma Junior League. Miss Graham would dance and choreograph for over 70 years and received many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976. She died on April 1, 1991, exactly 54 years after her Tacoma appearance. TPL-5108. ALBUM 8. (T.Times 4-1-37, p. 3, 4-2-37, p. 8)

Graham, Martha, 1893-1991; Dancers--Tacoma;

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;

Group of Jason Lee pupils pose in front of their school with basses and cellos. Photograph ordered as publicity for the upcoming Spring music festival sponsored by the public schools music department. The annual festival would begin April 27, 1938 and conclude May 12th and feature a series of nine concerts at area schools. Musicians would range from elementary school to advanced high school performers.

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

Jason Lee Junior High School, Opening Day. Assembly in auditorium. Nearly 30,000 students registered as city and county schools opened for fall quarter on September 7, 1938. (T. Times 9/7/1938, p. 1).

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Jason Lee drummers. Rhythmic course developed by music supervisor Louis Wersen has students using snare drum and resilient wooden plaque to learn rhythm, time and value of notes . (T. Times, 1/20/1939, p. 11, names listed).

Education - Schools - Public Schools - Junior High and Middle Schools - Tacoma - Jason Lee Intermediate School - Music Education Musical Instruments - Percussion instruments - Drums

Attending the performance of Ted Shawn and his dancers at Jason Lee auditorium are Lillian (Mrs. Robert M.) Jackson, Shannon Smith and Alta (Mrs. George H.) Raleigh. Ted Shawn (1891-1972) was one of the early pioneers in 20th Century modern dance. Early in his dance career, 1914, he married Ruth St. Dennis and together they founded the Denishawn Co. They performed and worked together until they separated in 1930. From 1933-1940, Shawn performed and travelled with his own male company of dancers, forever changing the appearance of masculine dance. (T. Times, 4/15/1939, p. 7).

Jackson, Lillian; Smith, Shannon; Raleigh, Alta; Clothing & dress--1930-1940;

World acclaimed dancer and choreographer Ted Shawn and his company at Jason Lee auditorium. Waiting for his autograph are James Wilson, Joyce Rausch and Mildred Stout. Mr. Shawn, dressed in a robe, is still wearing his stage makeup. After the performance on April 13, 1939, Mr. Shawn and his male troupe were entertained at the Walter Sutter residence on Carr St. (T. Times, 4/15/39, p. 7).

Shawn, Ted; Autographing--Tacoma; Dancers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wilson, James; Rausch, Joyce; Stout, Mildred;

On April 13, 1939, Ted Shawn and his company of male dancers performed at Jason Lee. Interested spectators in their "smart spring ensembles" were Lillian (Mrs. Robert M.) Jackson, Shannon Smith and Alta (Mrs. George H.) Raleigh. Divinity student Shawn had taken up dance as therapy after a bout with diphtheria left him temporarily paralyzed. He discovered a passion for dance that would guide the remainder of his life. He was one of the early pioneers of 20th century modern dance. (T. Times, 4/15/1939, p. 7)

Jackson, Lillian; Smith, Shannon; Raleigh, Alta; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Signal Oil broadcast. Carnival of Fun held at the Jason Lee (now Middle) School in September of 1939. Actor Jack Carson (far left) playfully tilts the chin of a woman believed to be Kay St. Germain, a featured singer on the radio program, as they wait behind the curtains. She would become Mrs. Jack Carson in September of 1940. BOWEN 01-347