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2012 Vernonia Friendship Jamboree
2012 Jamboree being held in honor of Washington Grade School
Vernonia was incorporated in 1891, but
there was already a school here. Before
there was a school, though, there was a dis-
trict. School District #12, which later became
the current District #47J, was started Octo-
ber 27, 1875. Fern Hill School was then built
on land donated by Clark Parker, one of the
early settlers. They started the building on
November 8, 1876. It stood near Mist Dr. and
10th St. (10th St. no longer exists). It was the
first public building in Vernonia. The 12 chil-
dren went to school for three months and the
first term was taught by Ozias Cherrington.
A new town school (name unknown) was
built on State Ave. near the junction with
Stoney Pt. Road in 1893. By then the stu-
dents attended for ‘almost 5 months’. The
second town school (name unknown) was
built in 1913. The first high school, Vernonia
Union High School was built on A St. and
opened on November 17, 1922. It cost
$30,000 to build.
By 1925, when the Oregon-American Mill
was open and had caused an increase in
population, there were 410 grade school stu-
dents and 134 high school students. As a re-
sult, Lincoln Grade School was built on
Bridge St. It still exists but is now owned by a
private individual. In 1913, a new multi-room
town school was built on Bridge St., the first
Washington Grade School. It had one room
for elementary students and one room for
high school students. A playshed and addi-
tional classrooms were added later.
On May 2, 1930, bids were sought for re-
moval of that first Washington Grade School
as construction of the new Washington
Grade School was set to begin sometime in
the following week or two. The Vernonia Ea-
gle announced on May 9, 1930, that “Exca-
vation on foundation of east wing on new
Washington Grade School has been started
by David Aim, Portland Contractor, who was
the successful bidder to construct Vernonia’s
new $75,000 grade school.” By August 15,
1930, construction was nearing completion
and the classrooms were expected to be fin-
ished September 1. By August 29, 1930, the
Eagle was reporting, “Despite rumors to the
contrary, the grade school will start October
15 as scheduled…while the gymnasium will
not be completed and a few finishing touch-
es will remain to be done.” The gymnasium
and the rest added another $15,000 to the
bill.
The school was in use by the time the Ea-
gle printed their September 19, 1930 issue,
which included the architect’s drawing used
on the front page of this Jamboree issue.
New Washington Grade School saw 81
years of students before closing for good at
the end of the 2011-2012 school year. That
school will be demolished this year and the
new school building will house all students,
kindergarten through high school.
Washington Grade School’s beauty and
longevity are the reason this year’s Jam-
boree has been named “in honor of Wash-
ington Grade School”.
By the next Jamboree, the new school will
have seen it’s first year of operation and all
three of the existing schools; Washington
Grade School, Vernonia Middle School, and
Vernonia High School, will have been torn
down. Only the playshed will remain on the
site, which will be made into a large park with
soccer fields, baseball fields, and other
amenities.
This year is the 56th time Vernonia has put
on a Jamboree and invited the whole world
to come enjoy the event. We hope you enjoy
Jamboree and come back for the 57th Ver-
nonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging
Show to see old friends and meet new ones.
© The INDEPENDENT LLC. August 2012, reprint by permission. Phone 503-429-9410 or e-mail: rebecca@the-independent.net. Photos by Clark McGaugh unless otherwise noted.