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Lewiston Public Schools 1863 - 1928 The Early Years The first school in Lewiston was opened in 1863 in a log building
at 3rd and C Streets. The first school rooms had breezes of ventilation
sailing through wide cracks between the logs, or so
For other Lewiston events in 1863, see the The Golden Age site. Lewiston Public School
In 1882, Lewiston residents passed their first bond election for $11,000. A wooden frame structure, this building replaced a school constructed in 1872. The property (known as School House Lot) was deeded to the district on 10 February 1876 by Henry W. Stainton, then mayor and a school trustee. As mayor, Dr. Stainton had been granted trusteeship of all Lewiston properties subsequent to the survey of 1874. The photos of the building in the upper left and below show some of the many Lombardy poplar trees that were common along Lewiston's main street. The last trees were cut down in the early 1920's.
Louis Roos, Class of 1891. It is not known exactly when the first high school level work was done in Lewiston Schools; but, in 1888, when C. A. Foresman became principal, the high school was reorganized, and a two years' course of study was established. In the spring of 1888 students at Lewiston's school had walked out on strike over a dispute about how little attention was given to the high school curriculum. This dispute led to the adoption of a standardized curriculum.
Graduating Class of 1894, with Charles A. Foresman, the principal and only high school teacher. While the first high school class graduated in May 1890, this was the first formal graduation, taking place at the old Masonic Temple. Foresman would become state superintendent of schools in 1895.
 Sanborn fire insurance drawing, March 1888 Learn about Lewiston's and Idaho's richest man by clicking here. Lewiston Public School
Another bond election was held in 1898 to raise $15,000. The Lewis and Clark Building had become overcrowded because of the additional high school classes being taught. A third year of high school studies was added in 1899-1900. Originally an annex, the building soon gave its name to the entire school complex, and the name "Lewis and Clark" was discontinued. No reference to the famed expedition in the name of a Lewiston school would be made until 1959, when Sacajawea Junior High School was built. A new Whitman Elementary School was built in 1948.
For other Lewiston events in 1898, see the
1st
Idaho Volunteers Historical Side Note
Constructed in 1895, Lewiston State Normal School had been chartered
by the State Legislature in 1893 to prepare teachers for Idaho's classrooms. The college maintained
a laboratory (or training) elementary school on the campus. Local
children attended
Lewiston High School A bond election in 1903 raised $35,000 to construct a 12-room school. This construction marked the move of the school district to the areas above the flood-prone Clearwater flats. The Lewiston Morning Tribune (1902) reported that "arguments in support of the movement were directed at the poor condition of the old wooden building at the Whitman School site." The land was purchased for $3,750 on 28 November 1903 from Christ Weisgerber, who had made his fortune as owner of Idaho's first brewery.
For a 1903 panoramic view of Lewiston, click here. (Quicktime required) To see the 1904 Lewiston High School girls' basketball team, click here. Garfield Grade School
The land was purchased in June 1910 from the Idaho Trust Company for $2,000. The style was very similar to the Webster Building, with large hallways, stairwells and the sash windows that were popular during the period. Funded at $12,000 and designed by architect J. H. Nave, the structure is in the "colonial revival" style. The building has since been converted into apartments. In 1982, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. "Central High School"
The property was purchased from Christ Weisgerber on 3 June 1909 for $9,000. Construction was held up when the bond election failed three times (1906 and 1909). Finally, in 1909, a bond for $55,000 was carried for the construction of center section of the building and Garfield (above). With the opening of the new school, the district became one of the first in the nation to change its grade distribution to a 6-3-3 plan, which it maintains to this day. The gymnasium took up the central area of the building, as can be clearly seen in the second photograph. This major structure was razed in the late 1960's to allow for the construction of new science and industrial arts buildings. Much of the brickwork was retained and used in the construction of buildings throughout the district. Note: The name "Central High School" was short-lived.
To see the city's more famous homes at the time, click here. Orchards School
The property was donated by the Lewiston Land & Water Company on 26 March 1912. Constructed some four miles southeast of the central campus, Orchards School was located in a sparsely populated area. However, roads were so poor that many students could not be transported to the downtown schools. A new school was constructed in 1956 just north of this building, which was eventually razed. Lewiston began bussing students from the Orchards to its secondary school soon after World War I. historical display of the school's history Lewiston High School
The property was purchased from the Weisgerber Estate on 2 April 1919 for $7,000. Designed by Curtis Richardson and built at a cost of $214,000, the school was an engineering marvel for its day and became the focus of attention for other districts seeking to build during the Depression. Each room had separate temperature controls and its own telephone connection to the main office. All clocks were synchronized. The heating system could be adapted to provide cooling throughout the building. Wings were added later to the school to the left of the photograph. 50 Years at a Single Glance
For a photographic gallery of the Photographs courtesy of the Lewiston High School Historical Archives
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