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Credits

This image may be of the Black River School in Renton and perhaps the first school in the newly formed Washington Territory. Standing on the northern bank of the Black River at the base of Earlington (Skyway) Hill, west of downtown Renton, this school opened for classes in 1854.

The school was a 14' X 16' rough plank shack with a shake roof.  A crude mud and stone hearth provided heat.  Cattail mats, woven by the local Indians, helped keep the drafts out.

At the left side of the image, you can see what appears to be a river.  If this is the Black River, students would cross the river, on foot, on Indian fish traps or ferried across in a boat.

This image is of what would later become one in a growing number of schoolhouses in Renton.  Built in 1871, this schoolhouse was erected at the corner of South Third Street and Main Avenue South.  Originally, the schoolhouse accommodated 12 students.  Shown here, students and teachers pose on the steps of the schoolhouse.

As the population of Renton grew, so did the need for more and larger schoolhouses.  In 1876, this schoolhouse was replaced by a larger one a few blocks to the south.

Central School was built in in 1892 to replace an earlier school (Central School).  This schoolhouse served Renton until it was outgrown and closed in 1922. 

This elegant and stately school stood as prominent landmark and was testament to Renton's dedication in providing a quality education to the children of the bustling community.  Shown here is the southern view of Central School with teachers and students posing outside.  Also note the tree in the center.

During my enrollment at Henry Ford Elementary, during the latter half of the 1960s, I recall two very old trees standing at the southern edge of the playfield.  Perhaps the tree shown here is one of the two trees I remember.  Sadly, these trees were cut down and removed.

In this view, the northern side of Central School is seen with teachers and students posing inside a picket fence.  As can be seen, the student population of the school had significantly grown.

The northern entrance of the school was nearly identical to the southern entrance with it stark columns.  Details of the school's bell tower can be clearly seen - a feature clearly absent from later schools.

By the early 1900s, student classes in Renton had been divided between elementary and high school.  At the time, there were no Junior High Schools.  Early on, the elementary students attended classes on the first floor of Central School while the older students studied in classrooms on the second floor. 

The Renton High School, built in 1911 accommodated the advanced grade levels while Central School catered to the younger aged classes.  As Renton grew, Central School was outgrown.  Henry Ford Grade School was built in 1922, followed by Sartori Grade School in 1939.

This image shows the eastern side of the newly constructed Henry Ford Grade School (with the old Central School in the background).  Constructed in a "horseshoe" style, Henry Ford's classrooms encompassed a gymnasium/auditorium complete with stage, shower rooms, gallery and press box.  Later, complete kitchen facilities were added.

The old Central School was long gone before I began my studies at Henry Ford during the mid 1960s.  I recall two very old trees that may have stood in front of the old Central Schools at the southern edge of the south playground.  Like the old school, the trees were removed - having outlived their purpose and usefulness.

Being one of the last class of pupils of Henry Ford to make my way through the first to sixth grade, I grew to see an old, familiar school reach the end of its days before the school was closed and subsequently demolished.  In time, the Henry Ford Grade School became a fond memory.

Renton's growing population demanded more classroom space.  Since the days of the old Central School, older students were separated from the younger students in the same schoolhouse.  In time, the schools became divided.

Renton's first high school was built in 1911, at a cost of $65,000.  The clock in the school's tower rang on the hour and half hour and could be heard all over town.  By 1931, this building was too small for the growing student body.  A larger high school replaced it in 1932, and the old school building was torn down in 1941.

Today's Renton High School is a beautiful work of architectural design that still serves the city's student population today.