History of Hamilton School
In 2877, William Hamilton came to the town that carries his name. his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren went to school in Hamilton.
As more settlers followed William Hamilton, a school was built. That first schoolhouse a Fourth of July gathering of eight people was held in 1884. That sturdy building was dove-tailed and made of spit ceder. It was southwest of where the school is now. After it burned and the river was washed out that site, school was held in a brick building about half a block south of the present one. In early 1890's, a large, good-looking, two story, white frame building was built. The large bell on its belfry could be heard for more than two miles. That building remains as the grads school until 1943.
S.H. Sprinkle, father of Mrs. John Slipper and Mrs. Fred Slipper, was one of the early principals. The two Slipper brothers came from England and were town merchants -- John with the hardware store, and Fred with a grocery and mercantile store. Their stores, and much of the town burned in 1925.
A Mr. Hungford was another early time school principal.
Students in this state were required to pass the Washington State Eighth Grade Examination before being eligible to enter a high school. This was a requirement up until 1920 or 1921. Good teaching and much learning was evident in Hamilton.
At one time, high school classes were held in a lodge hall on Maple Street near the Seattle Hotel and near the J.H. Smith home. J. H. Smith was the early druggists in Hamilton. Later, and until 1919, the high school was in a wooden building back of the present gym. On three sides, on the inside, were balconies with a stage on the south and. This was the gym from 1919 to 1930 when the present Gymnasium was built. Prior to 1919, a large dance hall on the river bank on Water Street was used as a gym and as high school auditorium for community gatherings.
The large, white two story, built i the 1890s, remained as the grade school until 1943, when Hamilton consolidated with Sedro-Wolley. The brick school build in 1919, then became the grade school. East of Hamilton School was moved to town in 1919 and used as a shop and later for the first grade room.
At present time, 1971, the brick high school is an elementary school with grades four, five and six there coming both from Lyman and Hamilton areas. Lyman is a primary school, having kindergarden, first, second and third grades.
Before the days of busing children to school, there was a West Hamilton School on Cochram Island. Miss Emma Adams and Miss Dora ahlbur were two teachers there. In the East Hamilton School ground was donated by T. M. Steen, the teacher there from 1913 - 1919 were Harriet Thue, Amanda Letherwood, and Josephine Dahquist. Across the Skagit River, at the south Hamilton School, Maud Riggles and Mabel Hart taught.
Buses brought the children from these outlying schools to Hamilton in 1919 and also high school students from as far east as Roc Cut. Two Model T Fords were purchased by the district for part of this busing.
Students graduated from Hamilton High School as early as 1908 but without the school being fully accredited. Up to 1918 or 1919 it was Accredited for only two years so students went elsewhere to graduate. It became fully accredited in 1923 and maintained high standards through the years. This is proven party b y the many outstanding people who attended the schools -- people from all walks of life, many in professions and all types of work.
History of Hamilton High School
The first high school work was taught here in 1894 along with the grade school. This was only 9th grade work however. During the following years the other grades were added but it was accredited for only two years until 1923, when it was fully accredited.
Last year there were fifty-five students on the roll with five graduates' this year the number had increased to sixty-eight with twelve graduates.
The present brick building was built in 1919 with its own heating and water system. It has a well equipped Domestic Science room, an auditorium used as a study hall, a science laboratory, a typing room, a bookkeeping room and a sewing room, two general class rooms, a library, the superintendent's office and a smaller class room, used by the eighth graders.
When he old wooden high school building was abandoned in 1919 it was remodeled into a gymnasium. In 1924 through the efforts of the Associated students, organized two years before, and with the help of the School Board, dressing rooms were added and a large new stage has been put on the south end of the building.
All information gathered from the Hamilton Museum. Thank you.
You do NOT need to go past the gate. Please be respectful of this town and the area. I have been given to place a container here.