North End in Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Washington Elementary

1607 N. 15th Street

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023

1. Washington Elementary Marker

Inscription. As Boise’s North End began to grow, the necessity for a neighborhood school became clear. In 1899, developer Walter E. Pierce donated the west half of this block for a new, four room, brick schoolhouse that faced 16th Street. In February 1900, Washington School opened its doors, charging students .25 per week for tuition. The North End grew rapidly and Washington added 4 additional rooms in 1902. By 1908, though Longfellow had opened on 9th Street, the ever-growing student population necessitated the purchase of the east half of this block for a new school building. The original school shown here, shared the site until it was destroyed by fire on June 3, 1917.

The current Washington School – which faces 15th Street – was designed by drafting students at Boise High School and completed in 1912. Like Lowell School, it was built on the “unit plan” which allowed future additions to be made with ease and greater economy. Its distinctive architectural characteristics include: a low, hipped roof; wide eaves with double brackets (shown left); and a symmetrical facade with arched ornamented entrances at each end. Originally eight

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rooms, four more classrooms, an auditorium and stage were added to the south end in 1947, giving Washington School its present appearance.

In 1905, shortly after Washington opened, the School District made several significant changes to its curriculum. One major change that was “effected with considerable difficulty” and “not without some sentiments of displeasure” from students and parents alike, was a new form of cursive penmanship. Where the old form was vertical, the new form had a medium slant. The change allowed for greater speed in writing and was more practical for graduates since the style was generally used in business. As is still the case today, in 1905, the teaching of cursive penmanship began in the 3rd grade.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1900.

Location. 43° 37.942′ N, 116° 12.358′ W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. It is in North End. It is on S 15th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1607 S 15th Street, Boise ID 83702, United States

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023

2. Washington Elementary Marker

of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Idaho’s Snake River Plain.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic North End Neighborhood Groceries (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Route of the Oregon Trail in Boise (approx. 0.4 miles away); Harrison Boulevard (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Junior High School (approx. half a mile away); Longfellow Elementary (approx. half a mile away); President Franklin Roosevelt Visits Boise (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named President Franklin Roosevelt Visits Boise (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Historic North End Neighborhood Groceries (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boise.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023

3. Washington Elementary Marker

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023

4. Washington Elementary Marker

Washington Elementary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023

5. Washington Elementary

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.