Downtown in Fairbanks in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Fairbanks Public Schools
Historic Fairbanks
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
1. Fairbanks Public Schools Marker
In the winter of 1904, the first Fairbanks Public School was opened. Ten students finished the spring term. In the fall of 1905, the school enrolled 50 students. The next year, 150 students attended.
Construction of a much-needed new school on the corner of Turner and Cushman streets between Eighth and Ninth avenues, was started in the last half of October 1907. The school was completed the night before it opened on December 3. Designed by Aloysius Friedrich, it was the pride of the community. The wooden building was used until December 4, 1932, when it was destroyed by fire.
In 1934 the Art Deco building known as “Old Main” was built. Its wings were added later. The school served children until 1989, and played an important part in the history of the community and education in Alaska. “Old Main,” which now houses City Hall, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[Photo captions, top to bottom, read]
• Above: At the end of the 1907-1908 school year, students line up outside the new schoolhouse on Cushman Street for a class picture.
• Right: The Fairbanks Public School was the venue for many community activities, from weekend dances and basketball in the gym, to staging area for outdoor events.
• Below: The Fairbanks Public School eighth grade graduating class of 1910.
• Bottom: In 1906, Fairbanks students wearing sashes with their names of their home states pose to have their picture taken.
Erected by Fairbanks
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1907.
Location. 64° 50.529′ N, 147° 43.226′ W. Marker is in Fairbanks, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Cushman Street and 4th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Cushman Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 Cushman Street, Fairbanks AK 99701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, and in Interior Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "The Line" (here, next to this marker); Cushman Street (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
2. Fairbanks Public Schools Marker
Additional keywords. art deco buildings,
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
3. Former "Old Main" - Now City Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
