McMillin School

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McMillin School
McMillan Grange Hall panorama.jpg
McMillin School, 1922-1963
USA Washington location map.svg
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LocationWA 162, McMillin, Washington
Coordinates 47°08′29″N122°14′05″W / 47.14139°N 122.23472°W / 47.14139; -122.23472 (McMillin School) Coordinates: 47°08′29″N122°14′05″W / 47.14139°N 122.23472°W / 47.14139; -122.23472 (McMillin School)
Arealess than one acre
Architectural styleHipped roof vernacular
MPS Rural Public Schools of Washington State MPS
NRHP reference No. 87001172 [1]
Added to NRHPJuly 15, 1987

The McMillin School was constructed in 1922 to replace a frame one-room schoolhouse. The school served the area until 1960. It is the only remaining structure from the community of McMillin. Along with the Alderton school, they are the last of the rural public schools in central Pierce County. It remains in its original location in a setting similar to that of its active years. The building itself has not been changed and the materials reflect a rural public school of the early 20th century. [2]

Contents

Historical Background

Pierce County was settled in the mid and late 19th century by Americans from the eastern states and by European immigrants. They came to the area because of the forests, mineral deposits, and farmland which were near ocean harbors. The economy was dominated by the extractive industries. Logging dominated the area, but mining, fishing, and farming provided additional opportunities. By the 1930s, manufacturing and commerce dominated in Tacoma and Seattle, the rural economy was still based on the products of the forests, fields, and the Sound. [2] To economically reach these resources, widely scattered communities came into existence close to logging camps, mines, quarries and farms. [2]

Each of the small communities established a school district after the first settlers arrived. The creation of a district and the construction of a school began creation of a community. School buildings were usually the first and only public buildings in these communities. Thus, they served as social and cultural centers as well as schools. [2] Pierce County's rural schoolhouse construction reflects three general periods of development. Shortly after initial settlement, a one-room log, or frame schoolhouse was constructed on land usually donated by an early homesteader. As the community grew, two- or four-room frame schoolhouses were constructed, indicating increased community stability, the growth of the school age population, and the expansion of the school curriculum. Schools built between statehood (1889), and World War I often reflect this second period of growth and expansion. A third phase of growth is reflected in buildings constructed after World War I, when many frame buildings were replaced by larger brick structures and ancillary structures—including gymnasiums and play shelters—were constructed adjacent to the schoolhouse. This period, which lasted through the 1930s, included structures built by the federal Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. This third period ended by 1940 when the last WPA projects were constructed and the move toward rural school consolidation was well underway. [2]

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Caroline Gallacci, Preservation Planner, Pierce County Planning Division; Alderton School; National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form; United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service; December 20, 1986.