Bill ::: HSi ::: (Cemtemmsd suites 4 S.lJ'S x. ' -y' " ' i - ' 1 siom.iw-mui - . " y? M f - f'14' "' v f-?.vw I ...... , ; 5- -S f ,"' v. , 1 - '-!-' j C t 1 1 "" " I- ' i , i 1" -r - , - - i .i - r '. j ' . . 1 y , V----V..- . ., w..- , " j , f The Washington School . u I . I - . 1 . . 1 . I Editor's note: Each week throughout the centennial centen-nial year an historic site in Park City will be identified with a descriptive plaque. By the end of the year the numbered markers will act as signposts to a self-guided tour of Park City. This week's centennial site is the Washington School. As Park City's mines attracted great numbers of permanent residents resi-dents in the late nineteenth century, school enrollment correspondingly increased. Local elementary students stu-dents numbered 100 in 1885, 162 in 1886, and climbed to 194 by 1888. The Trustees of School District No. 12 recognized the urgency of building new schools, but debated whether one of several facilities would be advisable. It was resolved that schools should follow the political ward divisions which divided divid-ed upper and lower Park Avenue. Thus three local schools were built in the 1880s and 1890s: the Washington School in 1889, the Jefferson School' in 1891, and the Lincoln School in 1895. The Washington School was built at a cost of $13,000. In contrast with the brick used for other Park City schools, this structure was built of hammered limestone quarried at Peoa, Utah. Other distinctive features fea-tures were the bell tower topped by a flagpole, and the dormer windows of pediment shape. Because of the slope of this site, the interior was built in split level, rising to a height of two full stories at the main elevation and one and one-half at the photo by Christopher Smart rear. The building withstood the fire of 1898, which levelled much of this part of Park City. The school served Park City's educational needs until 1931, when it was closed because of declining enrollments. The school and lot were listed for sale, and purchased by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1936 for$200. It was used by the V.F.W. for dances and social events until the 1950s, when it was vacated. After many years of abandonment, the building's ownership owner-ship changed hands in the early 1980s and extensive renovation efforts were begun. Significant for its architectural detailing and role in the history of Park City's public education, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.