Historic Hood River
Park Street School
4-17-2013
Notes
This fine image of the Park Street school is undated, but based on the style of dress and the photographic technology I would date it to the 1890s or 1900s. This is now the location of the Children’s park. You can still see some of the pathways and stairs associated with the school on the park grounds.
charlott
Probably early 1900’s. Reason I say this is would there have been that many children in say 1890?
Noicet the boy with the drummer. Children were drummed into class each morning by a boy playing a drum. I know Pine Grove had a drummer boy. If you weren’t in the class room by the time the drum stopped, you were in trouble.
l.e.
Typical for Hood River….a beautiful school.
Interesting about the drummer Charlott.
There seem to be a lot of adults in the photo.
Jim Gray
The pathways and stairs are from the later brick building
l.e.
Could those buildings to the right, be part of the Coe farm?
l.e.
This was written July 14, 1899 in the HR Glacier:
The people of Hood River are fully alive to the fact that the common school is the foundation from which the state must draw largely its best citizens — men and women, full-orbed, with the qualities which make them true and wise. This evidenced by the liberal spirit which the citizens have in the past provided for the wants of the Hood River graded public schools and by the confidence and respect which the school demands in the community, as well as by the jealous care with which its interests and reputation are cherished. The old school building has given place to a new $8,000 edifice, which is heated by a furnace and has all the modern conveniences and paraphernalia. At present, inclusive of the principal, four teachers are employed and the fifth instructor will likely be added this year and the tenth grade established. There are eight months of school in the year and there is an enrollment of 154 pupils. A new principle has been employed in the person of Professor C.D. Thompson, who taught at Cascade Locks last year. He is a graduate of Corvallis. He has able assistants in the persons of the Misses Grace A. Graham, Mella White and Minnie Elton, with another yet to be engaged. The school board is composed of S.H. Cox, chairman; N.C. Evans, and A.S. Blowers, with D. MacDonald as clerk.
nels
The architectural finish work reminds me of the carpenter who built the school out on Belmont and Methodist. And his house is still standing out there,still being restored. This is one of the most architecturally pleasing school designs I have seen. And with a furnace, would they have used wood or coal?
charlott
I assume they would have used wood, as that was readily available in the area. I assume you are referring to Barrett Grade School.
Bill Seaton
Arthur, Is this building right next to 9th Street and then the newer brick school building was later built behind it (further off 9th Street)?
Is there a picture of the newer building in the system I can see to make a comparison of the two?
Arthur
Bill, I don’t have the specifics on the date/ location of the brick building relative to the older wooden Park Street school, but maybe someone will weigh in. I know the museum has good records in the "schools" file so someone can check those. I will look for a nice picture of the newer school and add it to the queue.
l.e.
How long has HR had a Park St?
This was so early in HR history, I’m wondering if it really was called the Park St. school.
spinsur
The original plat of Waucoma Addition had/has a Park Street, and I think it dates to late 1890’s, but I’d have to confirm that.
Arthur
Waucoma Park was created as part of the Waucoma Addition plat about 1900. We rededicated it a few years ago after some research and clean up/ restoration. It was "lost" for a while. It’s at the top of the stairs by the Children’s Park, north of Montello– though technically Montello should not have been built through to Park, and there is a fine on the books for driving through Waucoma Park. I suspect Jim remembers it as the old location of the HRFD siren.
spinsur
This link might get you to the 1900 Waucoma Park plat, if it works as designed, and you have an interest. Keep in mind we weren’t a county until 1908, so this was filed in Wasco, and a hand drawn reproduction given to Hood River.
http://172.19.205.200/Survey2/CS1764.pdf
Arlen Sheldrake
"old location of the HRFD siren"? Is it gone??? If it is gone, how do HR folk tell when it is lunch time? I remember well it’s noon wailing, 701 Prospect wasn’t all that far away.
Arthur
Sorry Arlen, the siren and even the tower is gone. I know it is lunch time when my stomach growls.
nels
Whatever happened to this school? Did it burn down? The architectural style is of the carpenter who came with the 100+ Methodists from the east, set up a colony like community, and built a church and school at Methodist and Belmont. The house that is being remodeled is east of the Belmont and Methodist intersection and was shown on here previously. And a great description by Sally Donovan of the building originally plus modifications. The school and his own house had a lovely architectural finish to it. And if I remember correctly the school/churcdh was a 2 story affair.
L.E.
I think this might be the same school??
From the July 08, 1920 HR Glacier:
http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1920-07-08/ed-1/seq-5.pdf
EXCAVATIONS FOR NEW SCHOOL BEGUN
Stranahan & Slavens, who were recently awarded the contract by the city school board for construction of the grade school, have begun excavations for the basement. The new structure, which will cost more than $50,000, will be two stories in height and of brick and tile construction. The old frame Park street school, which the new building will replace, will not be demolished probably until next spring. It will be needed for school work this fall.
The new building will rise on the rear of the large lot where the old Park street school is located.
John McLucas
REMEMBER USS LIBERTY….Thanks for history on the brick school contruction..
The walk from 9th street was the dividing line between the boys and girls
playground. I walked from my home on West Sherman next tothe Japanese
Community Center…Remember seeing my first sandwich with lard…Sure
glad my folks could afford peanut butter and jam..