Old High School building history revisited

As the walls on the old high school building on Seventh Avenue and Division Street begin to fall, The Journal has worked to provide a timeline of the building’s history. Below is a short summary of historic events at the school, as well as news articles following the progress of the construction of the memorable building.

The original construction of the high school building was completed in 1910 following the need for expansion of the school district. The community had two other schools located in Ritzville: the Lincoln and Central Schools.

The original mass of the school measured 101-feet in length, and the length doubled in 1927 with the addition of two wings on either side of the building, which housed the gymnasium and the auditorium. The creation of the wings, made possible by $65,000 bonds voted on by residents, provided Ritzville with a location to house community and sporting events. The gym remained in use for over three decades until a new facility was built in 1960.

The spacious, two-story brick building stood in a prominent location overlooking the business district of Ritzville, as well as the sprawling wheat fields in the distance.

For many years, the school housed students in junior high and high school; seventh through 12th grades. The first class to graduate from the completed structure and new facility was the Class of 1929.

In 1983, the Hawthorn Building was converted for use as a school facility, and the old high school was abandoned with the final graduates from the building being the Class of 1982. A total of 71 classes graduated from the old high school building.

Need new high school building

Washington State Journal, Jan. 12, 1910

Superintendent Smith urges upon our people the necessity for more up-to-date educational equipment.

Would leave Central School for use of grades.

School Board unanimously favors the proposition to erect a new building, thus affording Ritzville the best facilities for work in Eastern Washington.

Last year the teachers of the high school, feeling the need of larger quarters and more up-to-date equipment, began to agitate the subject of putting up a new high school building. However, as one member of the school board was at that time opposed to the movement, it was dropped for the time. Since the opening of the present school year the needs of the school have become more apparent that the third member of the board has withdrawn his objections and is now as heartily in favor of the movement as the other two.

Without doubt the citizens of Ritzville will shortly be called upon to vote on the question of issuing bonds sufficient to put up such a building as the growing needs of the place may demand, and such as Ritzville may be proud to possess.

New high school big winner

Washington State Journal, Feb. 24, 1910

Sentiment was overwhelming in favor of Ritzville taking still another step toward the front ranks.

Even those who voted against a new High school are today glad that they were not successful. These are the days that decide the future of Ritzville. ‘Tis the testing time. The new High school will be built and equipped. We can now say to those in search of a home town, where the best school advantages may be had for their boys and girls, “Ritzville is such a place.”

The total vote cast was 392. This is of interest because it shows that our people were keenly alive to the needs of the hour. Those voting in favor of the bond issue were 335, while those registering their disapproval of the proposition numbered 57. The vote in favor of bonds was surprisingly large, while that against bonds was surprisingly small.

Ritzville’s public school advantages

Washington State Journal, Sept. 8, 1910

Splendidly equipped

The New High School

This building is in the course of construction. Contract called for it by Sept. 1, but unavoidable delays will postpone the date of completion to Jan. 1, 1911.

This structure is a very attractive one and modern in every detail of its construction and equipment.

The basement will have the same finish as the rooms on the floors above. Here will be found the manual training and domestic science departments. Also the separate toilets and shower baths for the opposite sexes; entrance to the gymnasium is also here; also the furnace and fuel room.

First Floor – Directly in front of the main hallway fronting the entrance to the north is the door leading to the balcony and running track of the gymnasium. To the right, down the hall, is the superintendent’s office and a recitation room. On the left are two recitation rooms.

Second Floor – Here we find the large assembly room. The library, study and reading room. Also another recitation room. Two science rooms, a biological and a physical laboratory. These rooms and the gymnasium are wired for the stereopticon. In fact, the entire building is wired. The program clock will also be seen in operation here.

Under the roof will be a large room, which will be used for teachers’ meetings, rest and study. The fine flagpole is an evidence that the law regarding the display of the national emblem will be strictly observed. This, Professor Stone says, is true.

To be dedicated

Washington State Journal, Oct. 20, 1910

Friday evening, Oct. 28, has been named as the day and time for the formal dedication of the new high school building from 8 to 10 o’clock.

State Superintendent Henry B. Dewey will deliver the address. In addition to this many short talks by local ones are down on the program, entertainingly interspersed with vocal and instrumental selections. Following these exercises a reception will be given by the faculty, the alumni and the student body.

The exercises will be held in the gym.

Ritzville High School is model building

The Journal-Times, Dec. 1, 1927

Citizens of Ritzville are very proud of the splendid school system, which has been developed in this city by the building of the new high school building and the remodeling of the Lincoln and Central buildings. The high school building is one of the finest of any in the state in cities the size of Ritzville. Since remodeling, very few people would recognize in the central building, the building as it appeared a year ago. The Lincoln building has also been repaired and put in first class condition and school problems for this city have been solved for may years to come.

The New High School

On the north wing the new gymnasium is located. This is 77x48 feet with a 25 foot ceiling. The floor is hardwood. Indirect lighting fixtures are protected with wire nets. Shower baths and dressing room are just off the main floor and it is a modern room in every detail. One large class room in also located on the gym side. The old building has been changed and remodeled until it conforms to the new wings. The old library has been enlarged, giving ample room for books and also for study.

The upper floor of the new south wing contains the auditorium which is a very handsome place, seating 534 people. The seats are the very best 5-ply chairs. Every other chair is equipped with a swinging tablet arm which folds to the side. The chairs are so arranged that other arms can be added if they are needed. The auditorium, as all the other rooms is equipped with patent sash ventilation on the windows, giving perfect ventilation. The lighting fixtures in the auditorium are very handsome, eleven large lamps being used. On the stage is a complete set of lights which are operated from a main switchboard. The auditorium stage has been equipped with maroon velvet curtains, which fold back to either side. A new $1750 Steinway Grand piano has just been added to the stage equipment. The auditorium is also equipped with booth for a moving picture machine.

The stage is so arranged that it can be shut off from the assembly room and used as a music room, being exceptionally well lighted with windows in the rear. The lower part of the south wing has five large class rooms, the principal’s office and the boys’ and girls’ lavatories. Also a room which will be used as a model dining room, but which is not yet equipped.

The science room is equipped with four modern science tables and one demonstration table. Experimental and class room work is carried on in this room, each table is equipped with swinging seats and will accommodate eight pupils. The tops are of acid proof composition, and all the drain pipes leading from the room are of special construction to prevent damage by acid. A special ventilating will carry all fumes from the room to the outdoors, making it possible to experiment with poisonous gasses without danger.

The old gymnasium is being equipped with lockers and enough of these have been installed so nearly every pupil now in the building is providing with an individual locker. In event of expansion the old gym will be cut up into class rooms, adding considerable floor space.

The domestic science and sewing rooms are also model rooms, equipped with the latest modern equipment. The domestic science room tables are of similar design and construction to those used in the science room. The wood range is used tat present in this room, although it has been wired for an electric range, which will be added later.

All through the building a great deal of attention has been given to details. The lighting is of the best and fixtures have been chosen which harmonize with the rooms without any show of gaudiness. Ventilation is nearly perfect. The floors are all hard wood. The finish is an antique gray and very pretty. The blackboards in all the rooms are of genuine slate. On the doors are the patent “panic” fixtures. With these doors all that is necessary in case one wishes to leave the building it to push them downward, when they open even if locked from the outside. It would be impossible to lock anyone on the inside of the building, although admittance could not be gained from without.

The present enrollment at the city schools is 605. Pupils in the junior and senior high number 310; in the Central building 225, and in the Lincoln school 70. With the present rooms in the building about 850 pupils could be accommodated, which leaves plenty of room for expansion for several years to come. This fall five outside districts consolidated with the local district, adding 55 pupils to the enrollment. Three new busses bring in the pupils daily and so far have given excellent satisfaction. The busses are of the most modern construction, well heated and well ventilated. In all probability several other outlying districts will be added to consolidation next year.

Superintendent John Goddard, who came here from Ilwaco, is giving excellent satisfaction and everything is working smoothly over the system. The school board, composed of W. O. Miller, J. J. Thiel and J. E. L. Olson is deserving a great deal of praise for their hard work in overseeing the construction of the building, the hiring of an excellent staff of teachers, and their help in the consolidation of the districts. The architect, who drew the plans for the building and also acted as overseer during their construction is George M. Rasque of Spokane. John Schriner of Walla Walla was the contractor at the Ritzville high school. H. Heinemann, was in charge of the painting and decorating work on all the buildings.