Finishing touches were being put on the newly built Washington College building at 714 Tacoma Ave. So. Thanks to the generosity of Charles B. Wright, money had been donated to start the private school for boys, the male equivalent of Annie Wright Seminary. It opened on September 2, 1886, with an enrollment of 65 boys, half of them day students. The Depression of 1892-93 forced many students to leave and the school closed in 1892. This building later served as the Tacoma High School from 1898 to 1906 when the high school moved to the remodeled Tourist Hotel at N. 1st & E Streets. It was later demolished in the summer of 1912 to make way for the new Central School Building and the site address changed to 601 So. 8th St.

ca. 1948. Central School. Central School was built in 1912. Heath & Gove were the architects for the eight-story English Gothic structure. Battlements crown the turrets on the tower's corners. F.H. Goss was the contractor. The school was built on the site of Washington College that later became Tacoma High School. Central School opened formally the fall of 1913. The bell from the former Central School (located at 1114 South Altheimer Street) was installed in the new building. The eight story tower dominates the exterior of the building on the corner of South 8th Street and Tacoma Avenue South.

Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members of the Tacoma High School faculty and the senior class, class of 1900, posed on the porch and steps of the school then located at 714 Tacoma Avenue South. The site was the former location of the Washington College, private school for boys. Two students have been identified in the photograph: George (or Georgia) Armstrong and Roy Knapp. Roy Knapp is seated in the second row of steps, second from left, next to an unidentified female. He was the business manager in 1899-1900 for the "Tahoma," the monthly publication of the Tacoma High School students and would pass away in 1906. Two cadets sit on the step railings. They are holding their distinctive hats and appear to be wearing similar clothing, i.e. uniforms. Cadets would participate in drills and would have an armory prepared for their use. KING 012, TPL 1038.

College of Puget Sound Adelphian Choral Society leaving on trip. Seven women and one man inside and in front of bus. (T. Times)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Adelphian Choral Society (Tacoma);

Dr. Edward H. Todd, College of Puget Sound president, points out a spot on the globe to his wife Florence in this March, 1936, photograph. The Todds resided near the school at 1604 No. Alder. Dr. Todd was president at C.P.S. for 29 years before being succeeded by Dr. R. Franklin Thompson. He was instrumental in raising funds for the relocation of the school to the No. 15th & Warner present address.

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Todd, Edward H., 1863-1951; College presidents--Tacoma; Todd, Florence; Globes;

Longtime president of the College of Puget Sound, Dr. Edward H. Todd and his wife Florence pose for a March, 1936, photograph in front of packed bookcases located in their No. Alder Street home. Dr. Todd, a minister and scholar, became president in 1913. He succeeded in a campaign that raised one million dollars and laid the grounds for the school's permanent home at No. 15th & Warner. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Todd, Edward H., 1863-1951; College presidents--Tacoma; Todd, Florence;

March, 1936, portrait of Dr. Edward H. and Mrs. Florence Todd in their home at 1604 No. Alder. Dr. Todd served as president of the College of Puget Sound for 29 years, from 1913 to 1942. Prior to becoming associated with educational work of the Methodist Church, Dr. Todd was a minister of that denomination for 19 years. The men's dormitory at the college was named after Dr. Todd when it was built in 1948. (T. Times 3/28/1936, pg. 7)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Todd, Edward H., 1863-1951; College presidents--Tacoma; Todd, Florence;

In January of 1936, an unidentified Central School Safety Patrol guard decked out in a new, bright yellow poncho and rain hat holds back a large group of children with his stop sign pole. By 1936, the Tacoma school safety patrol had overseen the street crossings for seven straight years without a single accident. To honor the guards' vigilance, they were given new uniforms that matched their yellow stop signs. (TNT 1/31/1936, pg. 1)

School children--Tacoma; Tacoma School Patrol (Tacoma); Central School (Tacoma);

In October of 1935, the first grade class at Washington School surrounds Miss Helen Roberts as the designated pupil (David Thaller?) presents her with flowers. Principal Jennie French stands in the background center. Other students in the group are holding a toy truck, a card or picture and a toy bunny. (filed with Argentum)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma); Roberts, Helen;

In October of 1935, the first grade at Washington School surrounds Miss Helen Roberts as the designated pupil (David Thaller?) presents her with flowers. Principal Jennie French stands in the background right. (filed with Argentum)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma); Roberts, Helen;

"Edward Hynes, Egyptologist holding statuette, 3000 yrs. Old, 11/21/1936."

"Bow & arrows made by Nisqually Lake, 1855. Mr. Bonney, Myron Johnson, A. Scharf, 10/27/1936." Students outside of brick building with large white columns.

The planning committee for the Aquinas Academy Alumnae annual dance was snapped during a meeting in November of 1937. Pictured left to right were Mary Harrison, Patricia Bresnahan, Eileen Whelan and Mrs. Clarence Layton. Seated in front is Mrs. William Whalen. The winter dance was scheduled for November 26th, 1937 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. (T. Times 11/20/ 1937, pg. 7) (WSHS)

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Harrison, Mary; Bresnahan, Patricia; Whelan, Eileen; Aquinas Academy (Tacoma)--Alumnae;

Back of Photo:
Students who live in Puyallup's South Hill area are riding their school bus to the South Hill school called Woodland Elementary.
Bruce Kellman/Photo

Back of Photo:
School, Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute
Vocational School Expands

Back of Photo:
School, Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute
New classroom ready

Back of Photo:
School, Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute

Back of Photo:
Protest

ca. 1935. Robert Gray Intermediate Orchestra. (WSHS)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma; Youth orchestras--Tacoma; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. College of Puget Sound Graduates filing into building. (filed with Argentum)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Cast of play at McCarver Junior High. Many students in nautical or ethnic costume, including several Japanese-American girls in kiminos, are serenaded by a string quartet. Teachers look on.

Public schools--Tacoma; McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--1930-1940; Costumes;

Cast of play at McCarver Junior High. Many children in various ethnic and nautical costumes. Six Japanese-American girls in front row.

Public schools--Tacoma; McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--1930-1940; Costumes;

General view of Washington School, small children holding hands to form a ring in foreground. Building designed by Frederick Heath, Architect, 1906. The school is named in honor of George Washington.

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Washington School 6A Class, photographed inside the school in January of 1937.

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Cast members of Robert Gray Junior High School theatrical production pose in the bright June, 1937, sunshine on the school's steps. Seventh from the left has been tentatively identified as Leah Kelley. The junior high was eleven years old at the time of the photograph; it served the South Tacoma area student population.

Gray Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Cast of Robert Gray Junior High play. Six girls and four boys in period costume on school steps; photograph was taken in June, 1937. The girl on the farthest left, rear, has been tentatively identified as Leah Kelley.

Gray Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Stanley School 6A Class in June of 1937. The students pose in front of the original school, which opened in 1925.

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Group portraits; Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Education--Tacoma;

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 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);

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;