Timeline

For a more detailed look at Lowell’s history, please use the “History” tab in the menu above to view Lowell’s history decade by decade.

  • 1869

    The first school in Tacoma is opened on the corner of what is now N. 28th and Starr. It is built from logs, and is taught by Mr. J. P. Stewart.

  • 1875

    The school building burns down. It is reopened in a nearby location.

  • 1885

    A new wood-frame school building opens for 100 students on what is Lowell’s current location. The principal is H. M. Lillis.

  • 1889

    Mr. Stewart is mentioned as the principal.

  • 1890

    The First Ward School is incorporated into the Tacoma School District and is renamed Lowell, in honor of the poet James Russell Lowell. Professor W. N. Allen becomes the principal.

  • 1893

    A new brick building opens to 350 students. The older wood-frame building is moved to the edge of the campus, and becomes the school’s annex.

  • 1894

    Emma Unthank becomes principal.

  • 1904

    Henry B. Dewey becomes principal.

  • 1905

    Principal Dewey leaves to become deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

    Professor Charles M. Sherman is selected as Lowell’s new principal.

  • AUGUST 25, 1907

    The old wooden annex is sold to the Dominican Sisters and is moved down the hill to where St. Patrick school is currently. It becomes a part of the Aquinas Academy.

  • SEPTEMBER 1907

    An 8-room addition to the right side of the Lowell building is finished and opens to students.

  • NOVEMBER 1909

    The school board purchases two lots on N. I street, across the alley from Lowell, with the intention of using the space for playgrounds.

  • FEBRUARY 1911

    Seven more lots are purchased on N. I street behind the school, further expanding the playground area.

  • October 1913

    The Lowell PTA, headed by Mrs. G. W. Cain, start a school hot lunch program. This program would prove to be so successful that the school board took it over and implemented it in schools throughout the district.

  • AUGUST 1919

    Henry H. Garretson becomes principal of Lowell.

  • SEPTEMBER 1933

    Johanna Johnson becomes principal.

  • MAY 1935

    Lowell student George Weyerhaeuser is kidnapped and held for ransom. Thankfully, he is found alive several days later.

  • 1937

    The city agrees to vacate the alley behind Lowell, giving it over to the school district which will allow them to close it off and use the space for playgrounds.

  • AUGUST 1947

    Clarence Monson becomes principal.

  • SUMMER 1948

    The playgrounds are paved.

  • APRIL 13, 1949

    A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Tacoma. 11-year old Lowell student Marvin Klegman is killed after being hit by falling bricks while helping a younger student exit the building.

    Lowell is closed, and students are sent to classes at Grant, Jason Lee, and Bryant while the school board decides what to do about the building, which has suffered severe damage.

  • AUGUST 1949

    The old brick Lowell building is demolished.

    Plans have been drawn up for a new building, which will feature 10 classrooms, “a kindergarten room, a library, a combination lunchroom and auditorium, offices and an indoor play area in the basement.”

  • FEBRUARY 1951

    The newly-built Lowell Elementary School opens.

  • AUGUST 1954

    Additional classrooms are built in the basement to relieve overcrowding.

  • AUGUST 1956

    Sylvan G. Kramer becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1961

    The primary wing opens.

  • SEPTEMBER 1962

    N. 13th street, which divides the main part of Lowell’s campus with the primary wing, is closed off to traffic. The cobblestone street is torn up and becomes part of the playground area.

    Donald E. Williams becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1964

    C. Wilfred Jewell becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1966

    Alvin E. Moffat becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1968

    Howard Snowden becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1978

    Constance S. Lassiter becomes principal.

  • SEPTEMBER 1986

    John Armour becomes principal.

  • 1997

    Mr. Armour retires and Robert “Bob” Dahl takes over as principal.

  • MARCH 2012

    Mr. Dahl passes away. Robert Duke is the interim principal.

  • 2013

    Renee Rossman becomes principal.

    N. 13th street is renamed “Mr. Dahl Drive” after a campaign by students in honor of Mr. Dahl.

  • MARCH 2020

    Lowell, along with most other schools in the world, closes its doors due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Instruction is moved online.

  • 2022

    Joshua Benedict becomes principal.

  • JUNE 2024

    Classes are held in the 1951 building for the last time, as it is set for replacement. Teachers pack up and move their classrooms to a temporary location at 2301 N Mildred St.

  • DECEMBER 2024

    Demolition of Lowell begins.