The Washington School
Photography: Courtesy of Park City Historical Society and Douglas Burke
Sam Raddon, editor of The Park Record, wrote in an 1889 issue, “The walls of the new public free school are nearly up to the square and part of the roof and bell tower are being erected.” Less than a month later he reported, “The public free school will open on Monday. It will take all week to put the finishing touches on the building, one of the finest in the territory. Elegant furniture is being installed. The school will lack for nothing.”
The building Raddon described was the Washington School at 543 Park Avenue, one of three public schools constructed in Park City in the late 19th century. The others were the Jefferson and the Lincoln, neither of which is standing today. Sandstone, quarried in nearby Peoa, was used to build the T-shaped building containing three classrooms, a two-story foyer and a bell tower.
Although threatened, the Washington survived the Great Fire of 1898. In 1910, the building was remodeled with a large stairway leading to the attic where an office, additional classrooms and indoor plumbing were installed. A furnace replaced the small wood-burning stoves.
The school continued to operate until 1932 when the Marsac School was completed, with room for all of the students from the Lincoln, the Jefferson and the Washington Schools.
In 1936, the Veterans of Foreign Wars purchased the historic Washington School building for $200 and used it as a meeting place and public dance hall. In the 1950s, when unable to pay taxes, they sold the building. In 1985, new owners restored and opened The Washington School as a bed and breakfast, the Washington School Inn. The 13 guest rooms bear the names of schoolteachers who once taught in the school, and the spa in the basement was once the coal bin! The 20th anniversary of the Washington School Inn was recently celebrated with a two-day open house.
Hal is research historian for the Park City Historical Society & Museum and president of the Glenwood Cemetery Association. He was designated Park City’s Historian Laureate by the mayor and city council in 1998 and presented a service award by the Utah State Historical Society in 2002.
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