Umatilla High School History

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Umatilla student exits the building that became the new high school when McNary Dam was built. Photo by Donna Sinclair, April 1999

Umatilla High School

The following document comes verbatim from the Umatilla High School Web site — http://198.237.71.57/UHS.History.htm. Images have been added by the Center for Columbia River History

The original high school, which most now know as the “Castle” was built in 1912. At that time, it was just outside the city limits and served students from in town as well as many from nearby farms. It consisted of four rooms and a Head Teacher’s office, which is now the counselor’s office.

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“The Castle” was the old Umatilla South High School, built in 1912. Courtesy of the Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation.

In 1922, Umatilla High School saw its’ first graduating class of two girls: Lotys Davis and Ruby Powell. In 1924, four rooms were added on to the east side of the high school, now the ERC room, math room, social science room and Title 1 room. A basement was included with this edition that housed the cafeteria. Miss Rix was the first cook at the new cafeteria.

The gymnasium, now called the “Old Gym,” was built in 1932. TennisCourts were built on the west side of the school where the cafeteria now sits, and on the east side of the school was the ball field, which is still there.

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The “Old Gym.” Photo by Donna Sinclair

In 1955, McNary Dam was dedicated, forcing the town of Umatilla to move south to where it is now, so that it wouldn’t be flooded. Grinding wheels from the old flour mill down by the river were set in front of the High School.

In 1948, Army barracks from World War II were brought in as a short term addition to accommodate growing numbers of students attending. Those were referred to as the main building of the high school. A modern high school opened in Fall 1999. The old school no longer exists.

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