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The four-acre site (facing
Orondo Street) was purchased in 1922 from Miss Edith Battdorf for
$14,000. The adjacent Fenton property was added in 1927 at a
cost of $8,000. In 1945 houses and lots were obtained from
owners, at a total cost of 18,600. The final site purchased
from Mrs. Pauline Beebe, was a small lot #11; block 1, on
Alaska and Franklin Streets for a total cost of
$186.
Original construction was in 1923
at a cost of approximately $58,000, with Morrison, Stimpson
and Solberg as architects. One room was added in 1924, three
classrooms and an audtorium in 1938 and seven classrooms and
a kindergarten room in 1949.
Mary Ethel Woods was elected
principal the first year and continued in that position
until retirement on June 30, 1949. Wilbur Brown succeeded
her as principal.
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Today Columbia School faces Alaska
Street. There is a playground where the old building stood.
Construction of our new building was completed in
1989.
The center of our building houses a
wonderful library-media center. Three wings branch out from it,
containing kindergarten/first, second/third, and
fourth/fifth grades. A music room, multi-purpose room and
full-size gymnasium complete the layout.
Our first principal was Dennis
Friedrich. Currently, Fay Crawford
serves as our principal.
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