Hamilton Park history

Postcard photo, circa 1900, of the original high school in Colfax, Washington.

The building was built on a two acre site at the west end of Thorn Street in 1891 and the first class graduated in 1894.

The building served as a high school until 1910, when it became a grade school.

In 1913, rooms were added to the building.

This school served grades five through eight and was called the Departmental School.

Later it became known as the South Ward School, and finally in 1926 it was renamed the Hamilton School, in honor of W. N. Hamilton, a pioneer businessman.

In 1953, the building was torn down and the site was landscaped and made into a playground which is currently Hamilton Park.

Note: postcard postmarked March 30, 1909.

Photo courtesy Whitman County Rural Heritage, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, WSU Libraries.