North Central High School - Tamarack Yearbook (Spokane, WA)

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school. The primary grades were taught in the Congregational church on Sprague and Bernard and in a frame building on Post street near Second avenue. The fall of 1886 saw an enrollment of 523 pupils and seven teachers. The rec- ords of April of the following year showed (548 students. Professor W. B. Turner, principal in 1886, felt a need for a monthly teachers ' meeting to help iron out the problems confronting the instructors. The first meeting, in November of 1887, re- corded 13 teachers for 715 children. By the close of the fall term in 1888, over 1000 scholars were counted. W V In those booming years of 1888-89, Spokane Jfe lfishness, poor politics and corruption nearly ruin her wonderful struggle igg m ati 011 for her children. The school ' s study system fell apart, the building wa fflrlfrly deserted, and violent quar- rels over public offices took place. Some of the region ' s best teachers packed up and left. Then, on August 6. 1889. wild, devastating flames consumed the entire business district of the pioneer town from Railroad avenue north to the river, and from Lin- coln street east to Washington street. Things started to look brighter for the schools when Professor D. Bemiss, a young man witkrneTjr and practical ideas, arrived in Spokane. Breathing life into the dying form of the earlier education. Professor Bemiss took over the schools and conquered seemingly insurmountable obstacles and difficulties. Working in har- mony with otheBb ' ne managed to increase the number of teachers needed for the 2000 pupils, to make the system of study more organized and thorough, and to persuade the people to look to the needs of their future leaders. The citizens voted to issue bonds to raise the $250,000 over the tax levy needed to provide accommodations for the students. Four large grade schools were con- structed, and another high school, named Spokane high school, was built. After faltering in her early steps toward education, Spokane picked up her skirts and trudged determinedly along, until in 1892 her schools were something of which to be justly proud. Now, entrance examinations into the best eastern and western colleges were not required of her graduates. The athletic program was greatly encouraged, and patriotism was given a boost as Old Glb ' ry was flown from every tower of every school house. Credit was given the teachers tor their magnifi- cent job in procuring higher enrollment, in harmonizing the3oas 3 n work with outside interests, and in the charming interest shown each of their students. 7

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The beginning. Spokane House, com- monly known as Fort Spokane, was the state ' s first business establishment.