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.

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.

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.

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);

May Day court - Annie Wright School. Although the school's name had changed from Seminary to School, traditions such as May Day still remained. The 1973 May Day Queen Lisa Bean and her royal court posed proudly for their formal portrait on May 12, 1973. Included were senior girls from Iran, Hong Kong and Japan. May Day ceremonies were part of events occurring on parents' weekend. Color photograph ordered by Annie Wright School. (TNT 5-18-73, A-8)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bean, Lisa; School children--Tacoma--1970-1980; Students--Tacoma--1970-1980;

In March of 1976, as Americans began their year long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, children and staff from Custer Elementary School posed before one of the Bicentennial exhibits on display in the school's hallway. Many wore costumes depicting 18th century Colonial fashions. Custer School is located in Lakewood at 7700 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. The original school was named Custer School after pioneer settler Lesour Custer; it was rebuilt in 1953. Photograph ordered by the Washington State Historical Society.

School children--Lakewood; Costumes;

Children at Sherman Elementary School, 4502 No. 39th St., squint smilingly into the sun on a bright spring day in 1968. The school, designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, had opened in 1954, replacing outdated facilities near the same location. The old school had been razed in July, 1953, to make room for playgrounds. In the late 1990's, the "new" Sherman would suffer the fate of its predecessor and be demolished for a newer version opened in 1998. Photograph ordered by Citizens Committee for School Support and used in an ad in the May 7, 1968, News Tribune asking for passage of Proposition A to build new schools and remodel several others. The caption in the ad read "Good classrooms do make a difference...End overcrowding." Passage of the school bond would not mean that taxes would increase. (Olsen: For the Record, p. 67; TNT 5-7-68, p. 10) TPL-10523

Sherman School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Students get some extra help at one of Tacoma's elementary schools on January 18, 1968. Tutors provide one-to-one assistance in the library. This is either Stanley or McCarver Elementary. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tutoring; Libraries--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A newly crowned Kai Wonderly reigns as the 1968 May Day Queen on the campus of Annie Wright Seminary. Kai is a senior and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wonderly of Tacoma. Dressed in traditional white gown with long, flowing train, she is seated on a flower-bedecked throne holding her scepter and a bouquet of colorful daisies. A jeweled crown rests upon her light brown hair. Color photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; May Day; Festivals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wonderly, Kai; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowns;

A smiling Kai Wonderly poses on the lawn of Annie Wright Seminary, 827 Tacoma Ave. No., as she waits to be introduced to the many parents and students during the school's 1968 May Day festival. Her long white train is being carefully tended by two young girls, members of the school's lower division. Kai, a senior at Annie Wright, is holding a ribboned bouquet of daisies. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary. (TNT 5-26-68, D10, 11)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; May Day; Wonderly, Kai; Festivals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970;

May Day at Annie Wright Seminary. May Queen Kai Wonderly waits with her senior attendant and small royal attendants on the grassy lawns of Annie Wright for the processional to begin on May 18, 1968. The petite youngsters are dressed in white with one carrying the queen's crown and another the scepter. Each year one senior girl was chosen as May Queen although the entire school participated in the festival. Kai is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wonderly; Mr. Wonderly was the operations manager of St. Regis Paper Co. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary. (TNT 5-26-68, D-10, 11)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; May Day--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wonderly, Kai; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Four children wait in line in order to enjoy Darigold milk and a pastry snack on January 15, 1969. A lunchroom worker holds a carton of milk while another woman prepares to pour milk from a pitcher. This photograph is believed to have been taken at Jennie Reed Elementary School, where the Tacoma School District had recently begun offering breakfast for a mere nickel. School children would thus have the basis for a good start to the school day. The Tri-Mart Multi-Service helped to coordinate the volunteer service of primarily mothers who helped to serve and tidy up after the children were done eating. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 3-2-69, A-22)

Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; School meals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cafeterias--Tacoma--1960-1970; Milk;

Several small children enjoyed a nutritious breakfast on February 25, 1969, at Jennie Reed Elementary School, 3620 So. Ash St. Cartons of Darigold milk were eagerly slipped by Judy Miller, James Oliver, Don Perry, and an unidentified child prior to beginning the school day. The Tacoma School District offered breakfast for a nickel, assisted by a volunteer corps made up primarily of mothers who served and helped clean up. The Tri-Mart Multi-Service, an arm of the anti-poverty Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., helped to coordinate the volunteers. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 3-2-69, A-22)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; School meals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cafeterias--Tacoma--1960-1970; Milk; Jennie Reed Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Miller, Judy; Oliver, James; Perry, Don;

Children at play outside portable school buildings in May of 1969. While some stand and chat and others run, most children are waiting patiently for their turn at jump rope on this sunny day in May. Their classrooms are directly behind them. Made of wood, the one-story structures are equipped with small covered porches, steps and are wheelchair accessible. The school itself is not identified; the Richards Studio was asked to take photographs of several schools in Kent, Yelm and Castle Rock on the same day. Photograph ordered by McMullen Marketing, Bellevue. TPL-8735

School children; Classrooms; Portable buildings;

Dance at Annie Wright Seminary. Annie Wright students and their dates clasp hands and parade in circles under flower garlands during their Junior Prom on April 30, 1966. This is possibly the "Grand March." The girls are dressed in long evening gowns with many wearing elbow-length gloves. The boys have tuxes or suits; all seem to have flower boutonnieres. The large room is believed to be the school's Great Hall. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970;

St. Leo's 1965 graduating class. 40 young boys and girls, all neatly dressed in Sunday attire, are recent graduates of St. Leo's Elementary School. Many of them will probably go on to Catholic high schools. All are holding diplomas and beaming happily on this sunny June day.

St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma;

Students at Larchmont Elementary School made good use of their school library in an October 4, 1965, photograph taken for the Citizens Committee for Schools. The Citizens committee would visit local area public schools and make recommendations for improvements. Several children are busy reading or selecting books. One boy points out a spot in North America on the large globe to another classmate. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for Schools for use in publicity and brochure.

Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Larchmont Elementary School (Tacoma); Books; Globes;

Mouths opened wide, these Tacoma Public School pupils are learning the intricacies of the English language as they practice their vowels and consonants on November 9, 1965. The young teacher points to the word "powder" on the blackboard as her small group follows along. Photograph ordered by Tacoma School District.

Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Teachers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Blackboards;

Mrs. William A. Merrill and Mrs. Gardner's class of sixteen young pupils at Annie Wright Seminary smile for the camera on February 19, 1966. The children's names are written on railroad cars that decorate the blackboard. This was probably a pre-kindergarten or younger-aged kindergarten class. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary. TPL-8732

Private schools--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

Portion of east wing extension, Marymount Military Academy, ca. 1963. Marymount was the only military school for boys age 6-16 in the state of Washington. Dedicated in 1923, the school was run by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order. Marymount was specifically designed as a small boarding school with enrollment generally capped at 150; however, when enrollment dipped even lower, it was decided to close the school in 1976.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway

ca. 1964. Students at Annie Wright Seminary. Small classes were the norm at Annie Wright. These 13 little girls were in the lower school at Annie Wright. Dressed in school uniform and saddle shoes, they posed for their Class 2 picture in early 1964 in the school library. According to the Shield yearbook, they were: (L-R) Katherine Wilson, Deborah Owen, Thea Wickstrom, Laura Jones, Wendy Sanford, Lisa Weyerhaeuser, Susan Ellison, Margaret Ann Swain, Christina Gratzer, Jaynee Crepin, Lorie Long, Elaine Cashar, and Elizabeth Merrill. With the group was Mrs. J.C. Chapman. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary. (1964 Shield, p. 10)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Uniforms;

Tacoma Vocational-Technical with large radio tower. Tacoma Vocational-Technical was located at the corner of So. 11th & Yakima Avenue across from the State Armory. Its first building was constructed in 1941 on the east side of the campus, with additions in 1949, 1965 and 1970. This photo on February 26, 1962, shows a momentary pause in usually busy Yakima Avenue traffic. A few people appear to be waiting to enter the school, perhaps members of the Citizens Committee for Schools, who were scheduled to visit and later make recommendations to the school board. Tacoma Vocational Technical School was later renamed the L.H. Bates Vocational-Technical Institute in 1969 to honor training director L.H. "Vern" Bates. It is still at the same location in 2004. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for Schools. TPL-6459

Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma;

A Tacoma School District middle school teacher is listening to a young student who has the complete attention of his classmates on February 26, 1962. This may be a science class as books are opened to a section on the solar system. The Citizens Committee for Schools had requested photographs be taken of the interiors of several middle schools, including Mason, Gray and Hunt. This committee, in the past, had advised the school board of the physical conditions of school buildings and possible remedies.

Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; Classrooms--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Teachers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Sixteen youngsters pose outside Annie Wright Seminary in March, 1963, for annual class pictures. These were members of the K-5 kindergarten group as eight little boys are included. Annie Wright accepted boys in this age group but girls only in later grades. L-R listed from the 1963 Annie Wright yearbook: First row: Nicholas Malden, William Rabe, Paul Rush, Caroline Wiborg, Rebecca Scott, Valerie Graves, Ann Rhea, Steven Crounse. Second row: Courtney Reid, Katherine Hokanson, George Buell, John Holl, Rodney Rosenthal, Jan Savini, Scott Dickman, Greta Simonson. (1963: The Shield, p. 29)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma;

These little Annie Wright Seminary pupils were probably studying the Netherlands in class as they stand by a table full of Dutch artifacts. Painted wooden shoes, books, and cutouts of a windmill and forest area adorn the large, round table. Most of the girls are holding dolls wearing Dutch costume and two clasping small shoes. L-R as listed in the Annie Wright 1963 yearbook are Class 3: Janie Gilpin, Vicky Daley, Janice North, Katherine Lisk, Sarah Fisken, Julie Johnson, Wendy Wagner, Cheri Crocker, Alice Reberger, Elizabeth Murray. (1963: The Shield, p. 31)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Toys; Books; Shoes; Dolls;

Twelve Annie Wright Seminary lower school students gather around a large wooden circular table in March, 1963, as they pose for annual pictures. They are probably in the school's library. Each girl is wearing a dark plaid dress, which is the same uniform worn by younger students. Class 6, L-R as listed in the 1963 Annie Wright yearbook: First row: Margaret Brown, Jeanne Rowland, Carol-Anne Wilson, Diane Hamill, Treena Andersen, Peggy Rockwood. Second row: Cathy Agrelius, Carla Will, Debra Gress, Jane Long, Brynn Ann Foss, Linda Ross. (1963: The Shield, p. 32)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Uniforms;

March 13, 1961, photograph of twelve small girls in classroom. Scholastic Magazines news map dated 1959-60 on blackboard wall behind them. These children, wearing school uniforms, were from the Lower School of Annie Wright Seminary.

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Classrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Maps;

School office. The school office of Bellevue's Lake Hills Elementary is empty for the moment in this April, 1961, photograph. The principal's office was apparently directly behind the front counter. An additional desk, probably the school secretary's, is next to a wall of windows. The theme of wooden ceiling beams continues in the office as in the school's gymnasium/auditorium. Photograph ordered by Vanzant, Dugdale & Co., Baltimore, MD.

Public schools--Bellevue; Offices--Bellevue;