Central Washington University - Hyakem / Kooltuo Yearbook (Ellensburg, WA)

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of tile Fllensburg Public Schools, through the trustees of the Normal, tendered the State the use of the rooms on the second floor of the Public School building, including the assembly room and four class rooms, free of charge, conditioned on the Legislature making an appropriation for the maintenance of the school. The building then offered now occupies the square bounded by Anderson, Fifth, Sprague and Sixth Streets, and is known as the Central Building. W hen the Legislature made an appropriation of $15,(KM) for maintenance for a period of two years, the same legislature made an appropriation for the maintenance of the school located at Cheney. Thus the two schools are co-existent. 1 he trustees employed as a faculty: Benjamin F. Barge, princi- pal; . N. Hull, assistant principal; and Miss Fanny C. Norris ami Muss Rose M. Rice as teachers. Mrs. John (lass was chosen matron ol the dormitory, and a brick building on Craig’s Hill, now «0.i East Second Street, was secured for the dormitory. The school was opened September 7. 1891. A three-years course was offered and the work of instruction was apportioned to the teachers without any attempt to establish departments. On Septem¬ ber 15, 1891, inaujurator y exercises were held. Judge C. B. Graves introduced by Principal Barge, made the address of welcome. The FIRST SCHOOL IN KITTITAS COUNTY Page 10.

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A Brief History of the Washington State Normal School at Ellensburg, Washington PROF. J. H. MORGAN Tin hill organizing the Territory of Washington was signed March 2, 1852, by President Filmore. During the thirty-six years of territorial life the University was the only school established by the Territory, for advanced education. The district school prevailed. Towards the close of territorial days a few high schools were established in the larger towns, some academies and small colleges. I he act of Congress authorizing the organization of the State of Washington was signed by President Cleveland, February 22, 1889. On July 4th of the same year the Constitutional Convention met in Olympia and agreed upon a Constitution for the proposed state. This was submitted to the voters of the Territory for their approval on October 1st. It was ratified by a large majority. At the same election state officers were chosen. The Constitution, having been written in accord with the provisions of the Enabling Act, met the requirements of the general government, and on November 11, 1889, President Harrison issued a proclamation declaring the State of Washington admitted into the Union. In accordance with the provision of the Constitution of the Stnte ot ashington, making it the paramount duty of the Stnte to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its Isirdcrs, the first Legislature, in 1890, enacted a law in which these words occur: “There shall he established in the City of Ellensburg, t ounty of Kittitas, a school for the training and education of teachers in the art of instructing and governing in the public schools of the State.” I his hill was approved by Governor Ferry on the 28th day of Mar.-h, 1890, just six days after the approval of the hill establishing Hie Normal School at Cheney; but no appropriation was made for a bail ding or maintenance of either school. In accordance with the provision of the law establishing the school, th« ' Honorable Klisha P. Ferry, the first governor of the State, appomt.Mi w. R. Abrams, Dr. T. . 1 . Newlgnd and Fred W. Agatx, all 11 Jlonsburg, trustees of the school. The law establishing the school made the Governor of the State and the Superintendent of Public Instruction ex-officio members of the hoard. W hen the second Legislative assembly met in 1891, the directors Page if.

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FORMER PRINCIPAL BARGE PO£C 11.