Lincoln High School (Tacoma)

Infobox School
name = Lincoln High School


imagesize = 250px
streetaddress = 701 S 37th St
city = Tacoma
state = Washington
county = Pierce
zipcode = 98418
country = USA
district = Tacoma Public Schools
principal = Patrick Erwin
ceeb = 481385
schooltype = Public
grades = 9-12
campus type = Closed
mascot = Abes
nickname = -
school_colors = Black & Gold
yearbook = Tahoma
newspaper = Lincoln News
status = open
homepage = [http://www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/schools/hs/lincoln/ http://www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/ schools/hs/lincoln/]

Lincoln High School is a 94 year old high school located in the south central sector of Tacoma, at the corner of 37th St. and South G, Lincoln stands adjacent to Lincoln Park, for which it was originally named, Now named after our sixteenth President Abraham Lincoln. Tacoma’s two Federal Empowerment Zones lie within the school’s attendance area. The Lincoln International Business District is one block from the school. The Tacoma Mall and the city’s largest commercial/retail sector are found less than two miles to the west. [2006-07 School Performance Report Lincoln High School] The school was founded in 1913 and has since been named as a historical building.

History

After a favorable bond vote by the people on September 2, 1911, the school board of the Tacoma Public Schools chose the present site for a new high school. It adjoined city park board property, which was turned over to the school board without charge. The cost of the ground , nearly ten acres, was less than $424,000; the building, $438,000. These, with the equipment, made a total investment of about half a million dollars.

On Labor Day, September 1, 1913, the cornerstone was laid; and the following September classes were being held. In the spring of 1915, 98 students were graduated. Enrollment gradually increased, until in 1938 there were about 3100 students, 709 graduating. When the auditorium could not longer accommodate the graduation exercises, they were held in the Helig Theater (now the Temple) from 1929 to 1932, then moved to the Armory, and then to the University of Puget Sound Field house, and finally to the Tacoma Dome.

Architecture

The building is of the English Collegiate Gothic style of architecture with the three wings, comprising the main building, in the shape of the letter Y. the auditorium is conveniently located for both public gatherings and quick access from classrooms The tower clock, a silent replacement of the school bell of old, is the dominant feature of the building.

On the grounds the most distinguishing feature is Alonzo Victor Lewis' stature of Lincoln, unveiled February 12, 1918. The purchase price of $4,000 was made possible by contributions form all the Tacoma Public Schools and patriotic organizations.

The inscriptions over the entrances - Reverence, Justice, Goodwill, Simplicity, Grace, and Courage - were suggested by the architects and were inspired by similar words which Bishop Keater in a baccalaureate address at the university, designated as "gateways of the ideal democracy the public school aims to build."

Lincoln Facts

* Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Lawyer Milloy, and Jon Kitna were also students and graduated from Lincoln High School. "Pappy" Boyington wrestled for the school.
* Collegiate Gothic, Lincoln’s primary architectural style, was chosen to demonstrate that the school should inspire and last. Carved in Wilkeson sandstone above the doorways were inspirational words such as courage, reverence, grace and “Labor Omnia Vincit” (Labor Conquers All Things).
* Frederick Heath, the architect behind Stadium and many other Tacoma gems, sent his partner George Gove around the nation to study other schools before designing Lincoln. Even then, being state of the art was important. But style was considered vital as well.
* Gene Grulich, a Tacoma architect who studied the history and architecture of the building for the school district, said the Lincoln renovation benefits from something Stadium’s did not – interior features that were not removed or damaged over the decades. The windows, moldings, decorative plaster and grand stairways are being restored in place or will be restored off-site and put back. In brief, here’s what is being done: The main building (called Old Main by the architects and builders) is being beefed up and rebuilt with some spaces reconfigured. The library addition behind Old Main was replaced with a new science wing. That structure has another duty – to stiffen the old structure for earthquake safety. A new classroom and library building is rising between the long hall of the old school and the industrial arts building. The gym and pool are being freshened up. And the entire building is getting new heating, plumbing, electrical and computer wiring.
* On Aug. 31, 1914, the school day was set to begin at 9 a.m., but so many students showed up early to get a peek at the new high school that Principal W.W Parker opened the doors at 7:30 to let them explore.
* The walls of the short hallway on the left of the central hub weren’t yet covered with pictures because there hadn’t yet been a graduating class to display there. But someone thought it was a good idea to hang one as soon as there was a graduation. Once one picture was hung, it was fitting for each new class to join their fellow alums on the wall. Those frames were taken down for the renovation. But by the time students arrive this September to get their first peek at a reborn Lincoln High School, the frames will be hung just where they were for decades.
* Elvis Presley performed at the Lincoln Bowl in 1957.

References

External links

* [http://www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/schools/hs/lincoln/ Official school website]