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;

In January of 1958, Bob (R.A.) Kieszling and his wife Agnes posed in the Jason Lee Auditorium with the 100+ youngsters in the Bob Kieszling's Youth Accordion Band. The Kieszlings taught hundreds of young people over the years in their Accordion Studio, which was located in their home at 3710 No. 25th St. Photograph ordered by Bob Kieszling Accordion Studio.

Music education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Accordions; Kieszling, Robert A.; Kieszling, Agnes;

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;

A recital, "Aloha Land", was presented by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at Jason Lee Junior High School in May of 1950. The entire student body of the conservatory, arranged in nine orchestra groups, played with variety acts augmenting the ensemble numbers. Ordered by Floyd J. Piper. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.C-12)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

A recital, "Aloha Land", was presented by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at Jason Lee Junior High School on May 15, 1950. Variety acts that augmented the ensemble numbers included the Francilian chorus of St. Leo's high school, Jimmy Ray, Paul Wingfield, the Evergreen Boys, Terry Coleman, and Madeline Holt. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.C-12)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

A recital, "Aloha Land," was presented by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at Jason Lee Junior High School on May 15, 1950. Don Davies, Sherry Blaiz, Irene Grabinski and Elsie Bifano, Pete Notley, Al Tone and May Stevens were some of the guest talent who also performed. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.C-12)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Honolulu Conservatory of Music's 1951 recital, "Aloha Land", was their annual revue by pupils, presented at Jason Lee's auditorium. The entire student body of the conservatory was arranged in 11 orchestral groups. Variety acts augmented the ensemble numbers. Floyd and Karol Piper were directors of the revue, assisted by Donna Walters, Herb Erickson, Juanita Johnson and Carol Johnson. Howard Schroeder was master of ceremonies. Names of those performing was listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/27/1951, p.D-9)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Accordions; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Group of 32 in Hawaiian dress with leis and instruments, four adults standing with instruments.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Honolulu Conservatory of Music's 1951 recital, "Aloha Land", was their annual revue by pupils, presented at Jason Lee's auditorium. The entire student body of the conservatory was arranged in 11 orchestral groups. Here 25 students are playing hawaiian guitar and base violin. Names of those performing was listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/27/1951, p.D-9)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Honolulu Conservatory of Music's 1951 recital. Forty students play Hawaiian guitar during the musical review. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/27/1951, p.D-9)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Honolulu Conservatory 1951 Recital Groups - 24 child students wearing leis with four standing adults. Ordered by Floyd Piper.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

About 30 in formal attire with instruments.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Twenty-two students and four adults with instruments and leis.

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

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;

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;

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;