The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-07-31
North Y akima Schools
A Retrospect
~
by Terence Allison.

| (The Following paper was read b,
the author at the eighth grade gradu
alton exercises during commencement
week, and Is printed for the bench,
LOT those who are interested in the
progress Of the schools of the city
The author was member of The
Graduating class from the Columbis
SCHOOL,
A review of the development of tn,
public schools Of North Yakima can
not but at once prove interesting t.
the present student body as well as t
those who have been made part o.
it's history, and who have made pos
sible the splendid system we today en-
joy.
It is difficult for the boys and girls
of the class of 1912 to realize the
maze of difficulties through which oul
predecessors have passed az one BY
one each years work has ended In the
| history of our schools.
| Possibly we do not fully appreciate
the advantages offered us in our SPLEEN
did buildings and modern equipment
all Of which those who In early days
laid the foundations Of our sohools
we're not permitted to enjoy.
That the work accomplished by
these pioneers In the cause Of eduea.
ton may be recognized, I shall en-
deavor to present briefly q history Of
North Yakima schools compiled from
facts contributed by some of our early
educators and patrons. A
In the year 1884 Yakima City was
moved to the present site Of North
Yakima. One year later the county
commissioners OF Yakima county or
ganised school district No. and TO.
several years rural school was con-
Quoted In little frame building near
the northern part OF the present city
limits.
The first public school in our city
was held in the old Centennial build.
ing, a wooden structure on Second
street. This school was ably presided
over by Mr.. w. r. Jones, who was
then county superintendent of schools
Of. Yakima county. He taught the
advanced grades ana gave instruction
in algebra, physical geography aft
book keeping
Mr.. Jones was assisted by Mrs. Clar
enoe Palmer in the, intermediate de-
partment and Miss Yetes. now. Mrs
Tom Davidson, who had charge Of tllt
primary department. tres s.
| This school was unique in that i
began with an attendance of $50 anG
three teachers. The children repre-
scented nearly every state in the Unior
and brought more samples of tex
books than can be found in the ordi
nary secondhand store.
| A large part OF the first year wal
spent in organizing and classifying.
There were three school directors
at this time. T. q. Redfield. Johr
Shull and Tom Goodwin constituted
the board of education.
In 1888 the necessities of the grow.
ing district required new educationa
facilities and 4 fine brick building
was erected on Second street. Latel
an addition was built ana the strte.
ture now known as Central school wa.
completed, .3@a.s ~ 8
]. q. Lawrence was. principal and
the .hrst eighth, grade was organized
some OF the pupils In this. eighth
grade were Maud Thomas, now wife
Of Walter Granger of Zillah; Jessie
Bailey, daughter Of q pioneer: Sadie
Ward, Now Mrs. J.. B. 'Braden; Ethe.
Ign and Mable Parker, daughters Of
q pioneer, now deceased; Birdie
Vaughn, Elva Baxter, who married
the Rev. Mr.. Brown, an Episcopa
rector; Elgin Baxter, Ida Stephenson
who married VIM. James. now de.
ceased; Mr.. James was editor of the
Republic at one time; Geo. Stephen
son, merchant Of Toppenish; zona
Hewlett, now Mrs. Samuel Cameron
of Mob Hill; Elmer and Charley
Marks, sons of an Ahtanum pioneer;
Benjamin Hughes, also of Ahtanum
Andrew Monroe, son of a doctor;
Charlie Head, son of a Presbyterian
minister: Reuben and Asa Schwartze
residents Of Mob Hill; Ina Phillips
now Mrs w. B. williams Of Mob Hill
Elsie Terrell st. John; Grace Steph.
enson Prater; Mary Young Dow an
Carolyn Young. the present principa
Of Central school.
The closing exercises of this elias,
were conducted in Mason's old opera
house, very much in the form of ar
old fashioned school exhibition.
Twenty members of the class took
examinations for entrance to the higt
school Thirteen of these passed ant
received from the city clerk, ]. J. Ty
Ter. their certificates, written on pinl
paper and enclosed in pink envelopes
to match.
| In the meantime, since the erection
OF Central school, the rapid growth
of population demanded more schoo
buildings.
The first of these was Columbis
building on what was then Kittita'
avenue.
In this building was held the fs
high school of North Yakima, with c
two-years' course.
| The high school and the eighth
grade occupied the same room ant