Main Street School

Address: 307 Sixth Avenue South
Date Built: 1903
Original Architect/Builder: Unknown.
Original Owners: The Seattle School District, which operated the school until December 1921.
Description: Excellent example of a vernacular two-room schoolhouse built at the turn of the century. Classical Ionic columns and a pediment were added to the structure.

 

Historic Seattle's Role:

Main Street School / Historic Seattle Archives

Built in 1873, the Main Street School was the second public school built in the quickly growing City of Seattle. The City's first kindergarten met in the Main Street School Annex building which was donated by Mrs Bailey Gatzert, and constructed in 1903 just south of the existing Main Street School. The school played an important role in the cultural development of the Asian community serving as the education center for the majority of Seattle's first generation Americans of Japanese and Chinese descent. The property, threatened to be demolished, was bought by Historic Seattle in May 1974 from H. T. Kabota, making it the organization's first property transaction. Once the property was stabilized and a suitable owner was found, the building was sold in December,1975 with protective easements in place to protect the building from future demolition or alteration.

Current and Future Uses:

Main Street School / Photo: Marissa Natkin

Now fully restored, the school is currently used for professional offices. Easements continue to protect property.