Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

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GIA 113 Pkli lla fl SCHOOL XL' v

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. xipg fps . . . the first graduating' class a portion of the present student body 7

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the high school in 1908 J. ' lei- - .Education has been progressing since the dawn of time. This progress is definitely connected with the historical background of Grants Pass. When the pioneers first settled in the Rogue Valley, little thought was centered on education. The days were spent in toil and labor where life was constantly threatened by Indians or the forces of nature. As the years swept by. as life gradually settled down more time was spent in leisure. Industrious parents soon realized the importance of their children's educa- tional development. Once there were no adequate schools in the valley. In 188.1 individuals. intent on promoting education in Grants Pass, purchased a wooden two-story building from the Eureka Academy Association at Jerome Prairie and moved it to the site of the present Wash- ington Elementary school. Grants Pass scholars num- bered one hundred and fifty and four persons had the honor of being the first graduating class. A new building which was named the Central School was erected in 1892 on the site of the old school. The present school was constructed on Olive Street in 1911. Spectators gathered on the lawn while the new building was dedicated by the class of 1911. Between the years of 1939 and 1948 the high school classes took place in the present junior high school. These two buildings housed a six-year high school. The old building was remodeled and enlarged in 1948. The two wings were added to the school thus providing many more classrooms. The front halls were lowered forming the modern two-level floor. The inner class- rooms were opened onto the new breezy patio. This fully modern. beautiful high school is truly loved by all its many students.