Lincoln High School (Tacoma, Washington)

After a favorable bond vote by the people on September 2, 1911, the school board of Tacoma Public Schools chose the present site for a new high school. Originally called Lincoln Park High School, it adjoined city park property that was turned over to the school board without charge.[2] The cost of the ground, nearly ten acres, was less than $424,000; the building, $438,000. With equipment, the total investment was about half a million dollars.

On Labor Day, September 1, 1913, the cornerstone was laid; by September 1914, classes began.[3] In the spring of 1915, 98 students were graduated. Enrollment gradually increased, until in 1938 there were about 3,100 students, 709 graduating. When the auditorium could no longer accommodate the graduation exercises, they were held in the Helig Theater (now the Temple) from 1929 to 1932, graduation was moved to the Armory, and then to the University of Puget Sound Field house, and finally to the Tacoma Dome.

Frederick Heath, the architect behind Lincoln High School, Stadium High School, and other noteworthy buildings in Tacoma, sent his partner George Gove around the U.S. to study other schools before designing Lincoln.[4] They wanted it to be state of the art. Style was also considered vital. The architectural inspiration was that of the Eton School in England. The school was built primarily in a Collegiate Gothic style, meant to show a school building that would 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).

The building was organized with the three wings, comprising the main building, in the shape of the letter Y. The Drost Auditorium, named for Lincoln class of 1938 alumna and former Tacoma School Board President, Betty Drost, is conveniently located for both public gatherings and quick access from classrooms.[5] The tower clock, a silent replacement of the school bell of old, is the dominant feature of the building.

Statue of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Alonzo Victor Lewis

On the grounds, the most distinguishing feature is Alonzo Victor Lewis' statue of Lincoln, unveiled February 12, 1918. The purchase price of $4,000 was made possible by contributions from 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 High School was substantially renovated in 2007. Designed by K-12 architectural firm DLR Group, the renovation added a new academic building to support Lincoln's transition to a Small Learning Community based curriculum. The exterior renovations including returning the school's original front door entrance; restoration of the iconic clock tower; and restoration of the Justice Arch as the connection between the original school and the new addition.[6][7]

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 2 miles (3.2 km) to the west.[8]

On August 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 a.m. to let them explore. The walls of the short hallway on the left of the central hub were not yet covered with pictures because there had not 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. Though they were replaced after the construction was finished, Lincoln stopped placing graduation class photos on the walls after the class of 2005 graduated.

In the 1920s, the stadium was used for Tacoma City League baseball.[9]

Elvis Presley performed at the Lincoln Bowl in 1957.[10][11]

Retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna joined the staff of Lincoln High School from January 2012 through June 2015, teaching mathematics. In addition, he was hired as varsity football head coach. In 2015, Kitna accepted a position coaching football at Waxahachie High School in Texas.[12]

The visit of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China in September 2015 provided opportunities for students to explore Chinese music, government and culture.[13]

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