On April 18, 1968 the students of Mount Tahoma High School squeezed into one of the school's courtyards for a good natured group portrait. By 1968 Mt. Tahoma, which opened in September of 1961 was full to overflowing with students. This photograph was used in an advertisement that ran in the News Tribune in support of a school bond proposition which, if passed by the voters, would fund the construction of two new high schools. Tacoma's high schools were adding 450 students a year and there were already 2,400 more high school students than the state Office of Public Instruction recommended. The May 21st school bond election failed due to low voter turnout. "Tightwad Hill" next to Cheney Stadium was chosen in 1969 as the site for Tacoma's next high school; the Henry Foss High School opened there in 1973. (Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support.) (TNT 5-17-68, B-6)

Mount Tahoma High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Mount Tahoma High School photo with female student wearing a custom sweater with Samish style folk art embroidery.

These young students appear to be getting an early start at Mount Tahoma High School in mid-June, 1961, since the school did not open until September of that year. Built to accomodate the growing South End neighborhoods, the award winning school was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price using an open campus style. The tower pictured on the upper campus would later house a bell; it would become a tradition for seniors to ring the bell on the last day of school. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. for the cover of the company magazine.

Mount Tahoma High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bell towers--Tacoma;