Enumclaw High School, 2222 Porter Street, Enumclaw, King County, WA

Significance: The Enumclaw High School is most significant as Enumclaw's sole reminder of its long educational heritage. However, like many schools in other small towns, the Enumclaw High School has served the entire community in a variety of roles. For many decades after its erection in 1921, the Enumclaw High School remained its community's center for cultural, social, educational, and sports activities. Additions to the building during the depression also helped to relieve local unemployment. The design of the building is typical of large schools built during this period with its restrained ornamentation, central halls, and banks of windows. Designed by the notable architect, Harlan Thomas, the school has remained one of the most prominent structures in town. The Enumclaw High School stands on land that was purchased from the Catholic Diocese for $5,000 in 1920. The original site totaled approximately five acres and contained a cemetery, which was relocated. The school board retained Harlan Thomas to design the school. At that time, Thomas was a well-known architect practicing in Seattle and had designed at least three other schools in the state, including a primary school in Enumclaw. The successful completion of this earlier commission no doubt aided Thomas in the receipt of the High School contract. Peter Woeck of Seattle was selected as the contractor.
Survey number: HABS WA-175
Building/structure dates: 1921 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1928 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1935 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1938 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1984 Subsequent Work