Woodward School (Utah)

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Woodward School
Woodward school.jpg
Woodward School building
Location St. George, Utah,
United States
Coordinates 37°6′28.4″N113°35′6.4″W / 37.107889°N 113.585111°W / 37.107889; -113.585111
Built1897–1901
Architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No. 80003989 [1]
Added to NRHPNovember 23, 1980

The Woodward School is a historic school building on Town Square in St. George, Utah. Built from 1897 to 1901, it was the city's first centralized public school building, bringing together students from the older, smaller schools around the city.

Contents

The school building housed both elementary and intermediate-aged students until 1936, when a new elementary school building was constructed across the street. Afterwards, it became known as Woodward Junior High School until a new junior high opened in 1977. The historic structure has since been used by the local school district in a number of capacities, including as overflow for nearby schools. Since 2020, it has housed Southwest Adult High School.

The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and underwent a major restoration completed in 2004.

Description

The building is a two-story structure, built of rough-faced red sandstone. The foundation is of volcanic stone which was quarried several years prior to the construction of the Woodward School, as it was meant for a never-built St. George Stake Academy building. The façade includes windows arranged in groups of three and four, and topping the main entrance is a bell tower. The structure's style is heavily influenced by late Victorian designs, most especially the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Its design is likened to two other nearby school buildings, the Washington School and Academy Building. [1]

History

St. George was founded in 1861, by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who organized their congregations into groups called wards, of which there were four in early St. George. [2] When the settlers first arrived in the area, school classes were held in tents or temporary willow buildings, but in time the four wards developed their own primary-level schools. [3] This practice of Mormon-run ward schools was common in the Utah Territory, and many would eventually evolve into district public schools supported by tax payers. The 1890 Free Public School Act passed by the Territorial Legislature further established public secular schools as the mainstream in Utah. [4]

After the act passed, the four St. George ward school districts were consolidated into one, encompassing the whole city. The school buildings at the time were too small to accommodate the students, leading to the citizens approving taxes to build a new centralized school building, which would become the Woodward School. [5] Work commenced on the building in September 1897, [6] and due to the softness of the soil, a pile driver had to be used to pound gravel and small rock into the ground, prior to the foundation being laid. [7] The school would be named for George Woodward, a local philanthropist, who provided money for the school's foundation, heating plant, and a piano. [8]

The completed school opened in September 1901, housing grades one through eight; grades nine and ten would be added later. [9] Ten years later, the St. George Stake Academy was opened on the same block, and grades nine and ten were moved there. [10] The Woodward School functioned with these grades until 1936, when a new elementary school building was constructed across the street. [11] The construction of this school brought major changes to the organization of public schools in the area, with the Washington County School District opting to establish a 6-4-4 plan. This would include six years of school in the new elementary building (grades 1-6), the establishment of Dixie Junior High in the Woodward School with four grades (7–10), and four years in the Academy Building (grades 11-12, plus two years of college). [12]

Junior high

The newly established Dixie Junior High opened in the Woodward School building in September 1936. [13] The school adopted the name "Woodward High School" in November 1938, as half of its students were of high school grade level. [14] [15] At various times, the school was also called Woodward Junior High and Woodward Junior-Senior High School.

In 1939, a new building containing a gymnasium, and space for home economics and industrial arts was constructed just south of the school building, with funds from the Public Works Administration (a New Deal program). [16] [17] In 1955, East Elementary and West Elementary were opened and the old elementary building was turned over to Woodward Junior-Senior High School, [18] and was referred to as the Annex Building. [19]

Woodward Junior High students began using a newly constructed building, located just southwest of Dixie High School, when they returned to classes from Christmas break in January 1977. Students had helped move equipment and supplies from the old Woodward School to their new building, just prior to leaving for the holidays. [20]

Sixth grade center

After the junior high moved out, the Woodward building continued to be used by the school district as overflow space for students. [20] [21] By now the school and its surrounding buildings (the old gymnasium and annex) had become known as the "Woodward School Complex." [22] Due to significant population growth in the area, it was decided to remodel the Woodward complex into a "Sixth Grade Center" and move six grade classes from the middle school to the center. [23] Following a $100,000 (equivalent to $292,358in 2024) renovation of the complex, the center opened in August 1985. [24] [25] In December 1997, the school district decided to close the sixth grade center at the Woodward Complex, due to the aging buildings. [26] [27] The center was closed at the conclusion of the school year in May 2000, [28] with teachers being moved to the newly constructed Desert Hills Intermediate School. [29]

While being used as the sixth grade center, the building's bell, which had been missing its clapper for many years, was restored. [30] The repaired bell was rung on January 4, 1996, during centennial celebrations of Utah's statehood. [31]

Restoration and later usage

Following its vote to close the school, the school board established the 15-member Woodward Community Committee, chaired by Scott Hirschi, to investigate possible future uses for the school complex. [27] The committee established during its first meeting in February 1998 that the historic 1901 Woodward School building should be preserved and that its 8-acre (3.2 ha) campus should remain public open space. [32] Shortly after that meeting, the committee toured the three-building complex and determined that the Woodward building was in the best condition of the three, with the gymnasium having been damaged in the 1992 St. George earthquake, and the Annex Building (originally the St. George Elementary School) displaying cracks in a beam and suffering flooding during rainstorms. [33]

In August 1998, the committee presented the options it had developed to the school board. Two plans were offered, both of which preserved the Woodward School and kept it in public ownership. [34] Soon after, another committee (under the management of the Foundation for Students of Washington County), was formed to work on the Woodward School's restoration. [35] As for the other two buildings making up the Woodward School Complex, the Annex Building was torn down in April 2001 to make room for a new school district office building, [36] and the gymnasium was remodeled into a theater by the St. George Musical Theater group [37] before being torn down a few years later during the creation of Town Square Park.

Woodward School, with the Washington County School District office building in the background St George, UT - Main Building of Dixie College (3).jpg
Woodward School, with the Washington County School District office building in the background

The Woodward Restoration Committee began fundraising efforts for the restoration in April 2000, [38] and by that November, $500,000 (equivalent to $912,947in 2024) had been collected. [39] Remodeling work on the building had begun by at least December 2002. [40] The renovation cost roughly $1.5 million (equivalent to $2,497,093in 2024) and included refurbishing original floors, adding insulation, and new HVAC systems. [41] The building was rededicated by Jeffrey R. Holland in a ceremony on March 26, 2004 at the nearby St. George Tabernacle. Included in the ceremony was the cutting of a blue ribbon and the ringing of the school bell, which had a new installed clapper. [42] [43]

Since the renovation, the building has served as a community and educators' center, with rooms for different community organizations, a school district media center, computer training center, and reading recovery room. [43] Along with conference and training space for teachers. [44] Beginning with the 2020–2021 school year, Southwest Adult High School began to utilize space in the building. [45]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "NRHP nomination for Washington School". National Park Service. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  2. ↑ Jenson, Andrew (1941). "Saint George". Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Company. p. 726. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  3. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 4
  4. ↑ Buchanan, Frederick S. (1994). "Education in Utah". In Powell, Allan Kent (ed.). Utah History Encyclopedia. Salt Lake City: University of Utah. ISBN   0-87480-425-6.
  5. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 5
  6. ↑ "Local News". The Union. St. George, Utah. September 18, 1897. p. 3. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Local News". The Union. St. George, Utah. October 16, 1897. p. 3. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 6
  9. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 15
  10. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 16
  11. ↑ Jones 2000 , p. 24
  12. ↑ "Plans Announced By School Board For St. George Schools". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. May 7, 1936. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Dixie Junior High School". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. September 3, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ Frei, Newell R. (September 9, 1938). "Changing of Dixie Junior High's Name Discussed by Frei". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  15. ↑ Jarvis, Mabel (November 24, 1938). "Woodward High School Name Adopted In Place of Dixie Junior Hi". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ Jones 2000 , pp. 24–25
  17. ↑ "Federal Funds Received For Payment On School Gymnasium Work". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. July 20, 1939. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  18. ↑ Lyman, Nora R. (March 15, 1958). "Observations". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. p. 1. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Annex Building (Woodward Annex)". St. George, Utah: Washington County Historical Society. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Woodward closes: Dixie Junior High opens". Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. December 26, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Woodward School: Has served residents well and long in Dixie". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. July 29, 1981. p. S2. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  22. ↑ Webb, Loren (December 6, 1984). "Projected growth for Wash. Co. discussed". The Daily Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. 1, 3.
  23. ↑ "Sixth Grade Center Begins Next Year". Washington County News. St. George, Utah. April 25, 1985. p. 4. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ Messerly, Kristine (August 7, 1985). "Solution to overcrowding: Woodward to house sixth grade". The Daily Spectrum . St. George, Utah. Back to School section, p. 2. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  25. ↑ Messerly, Kristine (August 21, 1985). "Summer vacation's over: Students return to school". The Daily Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  26. ↑ Murvosh, Marta (December 1, 1997). "Sixth grade center up for discussion". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A3. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Murvosh, Marta (December 10, 1997). "Students will move from Woodward in fall of 1999". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A2. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  28. ↑ Rose, Amie (June 11, 2000). "End of an Era: 100 years of Woodward memories being preserved". The Color County Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. C1. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  29. ↑ St. Germain, Patrice (June 26, 2000). "Teachers moving into new school". The Color County Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A6.
  30. ↑ Murvosh, Marta (January 3, 1996). "Restored Woodward School bell will sound Centennial". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A9. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  31. ↑ Ciaravino, Tricia; Murvosh, Marta; Cline, Damon (January 5, 1996). "Southern Utah rings in the Utah Centennial". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. B1. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  32. ↑ Murvosh, Marta (February 6, 1998). "Oldest Woodward building favored for preservation". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A3.
  33. ↑ Murvosh, Marta (February 24, 1998). "Committee's tour highlight Woodward's charm, problems". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A3. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  34. ↑ Sullivan, Tracie (August 13, 1998). "Decision remains elusive in Woodward debate". The Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A10. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  35. ↑ Van Splawn, Karen (September 15, 1999). "Sex harassment noted in Safe Schools Policy". The Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A6. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  36. ↑ Parkinson, Angie (April 4, 2001). "Woodward annex demolished". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A3. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  37. ↑ Gubler, Hillary (September 26, 2003). "Ready ... Set ... Music". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A8. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  38. ↑ Sullivan, Tracie (April 20, 2000). "Woodward project to kick off fund-raiser". The Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A7. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  39. ↑ Parkinson, Angie (November 14, 2000). "Still true to their school". The Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A2. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  40. ↑ Zhang, Jane (February 5, 2003). "Remember the 'bad old days'". The Color Country Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A8.
  41. ↑ Gubler, Hillary (March 14, 2004). "School Days: Memories preserved at Woodward School dedication". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. D1, D2. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  42. ↑ Gubler, Hillary (March 25, 2004). "Holland to speak at Woodward School dedication". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. A1. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  43. 1 2 Olsen, Rachel (March 27, 2004). "Woodward School rededicated". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. pp. A1, A8. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  44. ↑ Crook, Susan (January 12, 2012). "Woodward School on display during Historic Buildings Tour". The Spectrum . St. George, Utah. p. C2. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Southwest High School: Main School". Southwest High School. St. George, Utah: Washington County School District. 2020. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2025. We are excited to begin the school year in the Historic Woodward building located in the beautiful Historic district on 75 W Tabernacle

Bibliography

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