Garfield School (Boise, Idaho)

Garfield School in Boise, Idaho, is a 2-story, flat roof brick building designed by Tourtellotte & Hummel and constructed in 1929. The 1929 facade is symmetrical and shows a Tudor Revival influence, and shallow arch entries at north and south ends of the building are prominent features of the Broadway Avenue exposure. The brick cornice is inset with a diamond pattern. In 1949 the elementary school was expanded with north and south wings containing additional classrooms and an auditorium. The expansion is compatible with the original structure, and the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[2]

Not to be confused with custom Garfield School (Lewiston, Idaho), built in 1910 and also National Register-listed.
Garfield School
Garfield School in 2019
Location1914 Broadway Ave., Boise, Idaho
Coordinates43°35′23″N 116°11′33″W
Area8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built1929 (1929)
Built byJ.O. Jordan & Sons
ArchitectTourtellotte & Hummel
Architectural styleTudor Revival
MPSBoise Public Schools TR
NRHP reference No.82000204[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 8, 1982

History

A school had existed in South Boise from 1873, and the building was approximately one mile east of the present site of Garfield School. The wood frame building was heated by a potbelly stove which caused a fire that destroyed the school in 1889. In 1890 the first Garfield School was constructed at the northeast corner of Broadway and Barber Road (Boise Avenue), and it was named for recently assassinated President Garfield. The name was chosen by J.H. Gallaher in exchange for his donation of a school bell. Garfield School was replaced by a brick school, also named Garfield, in 1899.[3][4] The 1890 and 1899 Garfield Schools were constructed on land originally known as the Ryan Homestead, later owned by Gallaher, and the schools were part of the Gallaher Addition.[5] Garfield School was a stop on the 1905 Interurban Railway.[6]

In 1927 enrollment was 264 students at Garfield School, and in 1928 enrollment topped 300 students.[7] By 1928 more than 100 children were transported from South Boise to schools north of the Boise River, partly because of overcrowded conditions at Garfield, and the school district had already begun construction of Whitney School and had begun an expansion of Lowell School.[8]

The architectural firm of Tourtellotte & Hummel was awarded the design contract for a new South Boise school to be built on the southeast corner of Boise Avenue & Broadway, across from the original Garfield, and their plans included a 2-story, 8-classroom building with a basement auditorium. The building was designed to enable future expansion.[9] The South Boise parent teacher association (PTA) was given naming rights, and after some discussion the PTA chose the name, "Garfield." Contractor J.O. Jordan & Sons received the construction contract.[10] The new building was completed in January, 1930, and it opened with an enrollment of 365 students, but the school district continued to rely on the old building for classrooms, lunch room, and music room.[11]

The two buildings became known informally as old Garfield and new Garfield.[12] In 1949 new Garfield was expanded with 13 additional classrooms, new offices, and a new auditorium. J.O. Jordan & Sons received the building contract.[13] A plan to demolish old Garfield, realign Garfield Street, and build a city park near new Garfield was advanced by the school board in 1950.[14] Old Garfield was demolished later that year, although a city park was not constructed.[15]

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References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. The nomination form had not been digitized by March 2019. A copy of the nomination, contained in the Boise Public Schools Thematic Group and listed as Site 9, is on file at the Merle W. Wells Research Center at Idaho State Archives in Boise. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Garfield School". National Park Service. Retrieved March 13, 2019. With accompanying pictures
  3. "Old Garfield School Building Yields to New After 51 Years Service to Boise Youngsters". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. March 5, 1950. p. 27.
  4. Carrie M. Gekeler was a teacher at the new Garfield School, and Gekeler Lane is named for her pioneer family. "Chosen as Teachers". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 30, 1898. p. 6.
  5. "Wrecking of Galaher House in South Boise Recalls the Dances of Horse and Buggy Days". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. March 4, 1928. p. 9.
  6. Anna Webb (June 23, 2013). "South Boise was, for a time, a community apart from the capital city". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
  7. "Garfield School Has Increased Enrollment". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 8, 1928. p. 4.
  8. "School to Rise in South Boise". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. March 17, 1929. p. 1.
  9. "Official Notice". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 13, 1929. p. 14.
  10. "Contractor's Bid on New School Meets Approval". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 22, 1929. p. 5.
  11. "Garfield School Opens with Attendance of 365". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. January 26, 1930. p. 9.
  12. "Board Offers Park School to Purchaser". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 14, 1949. p. 5.
  13. "Builder Named for Garfield School Project". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. April 12, 1949. p. 7.
  14. "Plan Outlined for New Park in South Boise". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. May 16, 1950. p. 16.
  15. "The Old Comes Down (photos)". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 26, 1950. p. 7.

Further reading
  • J. Howard Moon, A Centennial History of Schools of the State of Idaho (State School Boards Association, 1990), pp 1-12
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