Six school district sites nominated for historic register

The Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission will take public testimony on the proposed nominations at 5 p.m. Oct. 27 in Room 16 of the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St. The commission eventually will make a recommendation to the City Council for action on the proposed nominations.

The district’s proactive step to preserve notable buildings follows a March report by historian Carolyn Swope of Kingstree Studios, who analyzed schools and other properties throughout the district as part of a research project commissioned by the district and Historic Tacoma.

Historic Tacoma is a private, not-for-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to preserving Tacoma’s architectural legacy through education and advocacy.

The nomination form submitted to the Landmarks commission notes the historic value of the district properties, including:

• Fern Hill Elementary School, 8442 S. Park Ave. Only the 1911 and 1919 portions of the school are nominated. Architect: Frederick Heath. Style: Classical Revival.
• Central Administration Building, 601 S. Eighth St. Only the 1912 portion is nominated. Architect: Frederick Heath. Style: Collegiate Gothic.
• Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N. Sprague St. Only the 1924 portion is nominated. Architect: Roland E. Borhek. Style: Collegiate Gothic.
• Stewart Middle School, 5010 Pacific Ave. Only the 1924 portion nominated. Architect: Roland Borhek. Style: Neo-Classical, Beaux Arts
• McCarver Elementary School, 2111 S. J St. Constructed: 1925. Architect: Hill & Mock. Style: Collegiate Gothic.
• Whitman Elementary School, 1120 S. 39^th St. Constructed: 1951. Architect: Lea, Pearson & Richards. Style: Modern-International