In 1948 Fife's Schools, District # 88, occupied a large campus of buildings on 20th Street East just east of 55th Avenue East. The four major buildings in the complex had been built over a period of 22 years. From left to right are: Fife High School, built in 1930; the Fife Civic Auditorium built in 1924, which served as both a public gathering place and the school gymnasium; the old Fife school, which was built in 1914 and by 1948 was being used for vocational training; and (at the far right) the new Fife Elementary School, which was built in 1936. In 1949 the Fife School District built a new high school, dedicated in 1950.

Public schools--Fife; Educational facilities--Fife; Auditoriums--Fife; Fife High School (Fife); Fife Elementary School (Fife); Fife School District (Fife);

This is the original Annie Wright Seminary designed by architects Boone & Meeker as it appeared circa 1886. The private school for girls opened two years before in September of 1884, thanks to its benefactor, Charles B. Wright. The building's foundation came from Wilkeson stone and brick. Its sharp gables and turrets added to the impressive ediface. A gymnasium was added in 1899 and was the sole remaining building left when the school was razed in 1924. Due to growing enrollment, a new campus arose at 827 Tacoma Ave. N. the same year.

A large group of women who are studying to be dental assistants take a class on X-ray techniques from instructor Wayne E. Hampton, standing at far left. The Tacoma location and school have not been identified in this 1931 portrait by photographer Chapin Bowen.

Ground was broken on July 1, 1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic boys school by the Dominican Sisters on the grounds of the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, "Shangarry." The completed school, Marymount Military Academy (photographed here in 1937), was located in what is now Spanaway. It was a spacious two story structure of five buildings in the Lombardine Mission style. The school housed a modern gym, pool and infirmary as well as surrounding playing fields, stables, tennis courts and shooting ranges. It was the only military school in the state of Washington. In 1974, the school dropped its military appellation and became a boarding school for wealthy families. It closed in 1976. The property was purchased in the 1980's by Harold LeMay, who used much of it to house his antique car collection.

Marymount Military Academy, Spanaway, Washington in January of 1937. Built by the Dominican Sisters, Marymount was the only military school in the state of Washington. It existed for 54 years, originally as a military academy for boys ages 6-16 and later as a boarding school catering to the wealthy. The school closed in 1976. The buildings then housed the mother house for the sisters and a retirement location for them as well. The school was later sold to Harold LeMay, the owner of a Pierce County trash and recycling business and an avid collector of antique motor vehicles.

The Modern Beauty Academy at 1153 Broadway, Tacoma, trained students in the latest hair styles and beauty secrets for nearly 40 years. A group of graduates are shown here with academy manager, Daniel J. Spellman, center. Founded in 1933, the school closed in 1962.