By Sylvia Neely
The first day of school is always an exciting time each fall for students, teachers, and parents, but think how excited the community of Prescott was in September of 1903. On this date the first elementary school building, Washington School, was opened to all of Prescott's students from kindergarten through eighth grade. In 1930, the school across the street on Gurley was made into a junior/senior high school and Washington School ended at grade six. The school still stands between Alarcon and Pleasant on Gurley Street looking just as beautiful as it did one hundred years ago.
This is cause for a celebration. Washington School is probably the oldest continuously used school in Arizona - something to be proud of since many early school buildings have been demolished.
The 1906, the teacher's handbook had this description, " This building is now the most modern and sanitary public building in Arizona and cost, exclusive of furniture, $53,000. It contains on the first and second floors ten recitation rooms besides offices, a library and four teachers rooms."
The Prescott Journal Miner of Sept. 1, 1903 comments on the deep red bricks with the trimmings of "tufa" (which we now know as "tuff") and cement and presents a handsome appearance from the exterior. The bricks came from the Fitzsimmons and Keating Brick plant owned by Thomas Fitzsimmons, a great uncle of a former Washington teacher, Tom Robbins (1950-53).
The interior has been remodeled often but the original solid oak stairway is the first thing anyone sees upon entering the building. The new carpeting does not detract from its beauty. Louise Overstreet Baribeau (1935-38) recalls the principal, Mata Dexter's main rule: "Don't run on the stairs." Louise's grandfather, Edward Pierson, was general contractor for the building.
In 1914, the manual training and domestic science building, a two-story structure, was erected on the northwest corner the school lot. Some students remembered Tabitha South, the sewing teacher and Russell Rammage for woodworking. This building was later converted to classroom use in 1930. However, it was demolished in 1979.
As of this date, the centennial committee has received 137 "memory papers" from former students and teachers. The replies have come from as far back as 1916-1920, which was written by Dr. William Bork who will be honored as the oldest living student. Clair Slosser is the oldest living principal (1952-1974) and Jim Burhans is the oldest living teacher (1949-1955).
Some outstanding memories will be related here, but barely touch the treasured moments from the past. If anyone cares to contribute to the schools memory file, please contact the Washington School office.
Many former students seem to remember their school day's mischief, especially the boys. The cloakroom was a place for what we now call "time out" and an occasional paddling. Dewey Born (1937-39) remembered the smell of wet wool coats and sweaters hanging in the cloakroom.
Halloween has always been a time of pranks. George Allan Jr. has revealed a prank concerning the Washington School bell. George was attending the, then, junior high school across Gurley Street in 1936. He and his friend, Bill Lawrence, thought it would be fun to steal the bell that rang at Washington to announce the change of classes. This bell hung in the front dormer window in the attic. They arranged for Ernie Born to let them into the attic after hours. It didn't take long to discover that taking a 500-pound bell out under their coat wasn't possible so they removed the clapper instead. It too was heavy so they put it under the floorboards. The next day their mischievous efforts were rewarded as they watched the principal, Mata Dexter, on the front playground blowing her little whistle to change classes.
Originally, the bell hung in the belfry at the Prescott Free Academy. Although Washington School was carefully constructed directly behind the Academy when it was built, the old Academy was demolished shortly after the completion of Washington in 1903. For a while the bell stayed downtown at the Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. Today, it is still in the church, but at its new home off Ruger Road by the airport.
Many comments were made by students that they felt very special when they were chosen to ring the bell and raise and lower the flag that flew from the upper story.
Glenn Farrell recalls two important historical events. Washington School students and faculty planted a conifer tree on the plaza to commemorate statehood day, and the students also attended a ceremony on the plaza to meet New York City mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, a former Prescott resident who attended Prescott High School.
Almost all of the former students remembered their teachers with love and admiration. The three mentioned most often were Mata Dexter, Geraldine Giroux, and Abia Judd.
Many former students are proud to tell that their parents attended Washington School. Bill Bianconi's (1932-38) dad was there around 1908. Favour Hazeltine Slater's (1941-48) parents, aunts and uncles all went there. Bill Louttit's father, Clair, was a teacher and principal. This was true of the Windsor family: Merrill Jr., David, and Margaret. Their mother, Martha, taught there (1942-59) and father, Merrill Sr., was principal (1927-32). Sherman Payne's (1930-36) mother and Emily Belle Rogers taught 6th grade from 1912-1922.
In the 1930's and 40's, it was the practice to distribute cod liver oil capsules to each student. Some write how they hated the caster oil, but maybe they meant the cod liver oil. Many capsules were spit out in the drinking fountain, but Doris Huddleston McFarland chewed hers and breathed the fishy odor on whomever she could catch.
The war years made an impact on the school children. Francis Merwin Johnston (student from 1941-43) remembered when they were asked to buy savings stamps, which went toward the purchase of war bonds. The school also collected scrap rubber and metal for the war effort.
Francis Bauer (1929-35) wrote that he was chosen to be the first crossing guard officer. This was a special honor that many remembered giving them a feeling of importance.
John Nutter(1935-36) showed up at school in knickers in 1935. Prescott boys let him know right away that he better stop at Penney's after school to buy long pants.
A few former students came back to teach at Washington. Veronica Keeney Wilson (1935), Patty Pauley Rummage(1944-51), and Sylvia Soderstrom Neely (1949) were teachers and now serve on the centennial committee. Penny Nicholas, Angela Ainsa, Cheryl Pucel, Andria Douglas, Warren Miller from Sharlot Hall Museum, and principal, Ed Yeager make up the committee. Betty Waples Enz and Colleen McClymonds Ludwig were also students and teachers at Washington School.
Jack Pfister (1940-46) sums up what so many former students expressed. Jack states," I know that (my)Washington Elementary experience provided a solid foundation for my education and professional success. The 100 years anniversary is a wonderful occasion to express my gratitude for those years and my appreciation of the teachers who helped educate me."
Our honored school was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1989.
Washington School has been a neighborhood school for an entire century, a place where the children could walk to school and where everyone knew their neighbors. This historic school has touched the lives of many children growing up in Prescott. It is a valued landmark in our community. This old building holds the fragile dreams of our children and a place in their history.
Former students, teachers, staff and the public are invited to a kickoff celebration this Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Today's students and guests will celebrate Friday afternoon. Building tours and exhibits will be held both days.
Two things have not changed in the last century: outstanding teachers and eager students.
(Sylvia Neely is a volunteer at the Sharlot Hall Museum.)
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb128f10i1tif)
Reuse only by permission.
For the first 26 years, Washington School took children through to the eighth grade. This shows the eighth grade class in 1916, complete with those who sit up straight and those who slouch. This coming Friday and Saturday, Washington School will celebrate 100 years of being a "class act".