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Albina Homestead Schools

In the fall of 1892, the first Albina Homestead School was completed at the corner of Mason and Williams Avenue in the growing Albina Homestead Tract. An article published in The Oregonian on November 4th states the cost was $12,000, and the rooms were already crowded with pupils.

Class or school photo featuring students and teachers on the front steps of the Albina Homestead School at North Williams and NE Mason circa 1896. The bearded adult male is principal Samuel Usmar Downs (1853-1936). He served as principal in several of Portland's Eastside schools and retired in 1931 as the long-time principal at the Eliot School. Source: City of Portland Archives, Image A2004-002.6811.

The rapid growth of Albina created crowded conditions in the public schools. An article published in The Oregonian on April 28, 1908, announced: "Albina is Allowed Another Building". A new school was to be built on a lot bounded by Mallory, Garfield, Failing, and Beech at a cost of $21,000. The building was to be named the Albina Homestead School. Further research is needed to determine if the first Albina Homestead School was repurposed or torn down.

The second Albina Homestead School was designed by architect Thomas J. Jones and opened in October 1908.

Architectural drawing of the Albina Homestead School East-Side Elevation by Thomas J. Jones. Source: Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Architectural drawing of the Albina Homestead School South-Side Elevation by Thomas J. Jones. Source: Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

The post-depression years saw lower enrollment levels for elementary students. In January 1936, the Albina Homestead School was renamed the Thomas A. Edison Six-Year High School. The school served as a coeducational six-year high school, embracing the seventh grade through the senior year of high school. Courses were offered in shoe repairing, blacksmithing, cabinet making, dyeing, spinning, home nursing, and other occupations. By 1941, several union apprenticeship programs moved into the building, where they formed the Portland Apprentice School. Given its location at 220 NE Beech Street, some Portland old-timers called it the Beech Street School.

​The post-World War II baby boom increased the need for elementary school space, and the use of the building changed again in 1947.

Many children from the Volga German community attended both of the Albina Homestead Schools. 

Photo of the newly named Edison School which open in January 1936 in the former Albina Homestead School. Source: "The Oregon Journal", April 25, 1966.

Helen and William John Gabel circa 1908. The Gabel children attended the second Albina Homestead School near their home on NE 6th Avenue. Courtesy of George Gabel.

A photograph of a large group of children and two adults crowded into the library room of the Albina Homestead School (date unknown). Source: Multnomah Country Library Online Gallery.

Albina Homestead School graduating class. Circa 1918. Source: Steve Schreiber.

The Albina Homestead School 8th grade graduating class of January 24, 1919. Written on the back of the photograph by Lydia Miller is the following list of class members numbered 1 through 27 (presumably starting in the back row from the far left and working to the bottom row far right): John Leel (#1), Josephine Wendel, Waitermore Staveny, Edith Helzer, Barney Wolfe, Ruth Lofgren, Sidney Ellis, Lydia Yost, Daniel Scheideman, Eva Peters, Wallace Thorne, Lydia Miller (#12), Raymond Gable, Viola Melcher, Kenneth Reed, Verne McNeel, Alice Tollison, Henry Altergott, (the female and male instructor names are presumed to be omitted), Hilda Helzer, Perry Drais, Elizabeth Schmeer, Howard Marks, Marie Brown, Henry Weigant, Helen Ellis, John Drais (#26), Leslie Parks (omitted on picture). This photograph is courtesy of Lydia Miller.

Albina Homestead School Class of January 1922. Ernestine Yost is identified in this photo. Courtesy of the Yost family.

An Albina Homestead School class photograph from 1923. Source: Steven Schreiber.

Albina Homestead School Class of January 1927, courtesy of Valerie Miller, who identified her uncle, Robert Miller, in the second row from the top, at the far right.

Albina Homestead School Class of 1927. Leona Weber is shown in the 2nd row from top, third from right. Source: Weber family.

Photograph of the Albina Homestead School Class of 1928, courtesy of Maria Hein. It is believed that Maria's Uncle, LeRoy Hein, is at the far left of the second row from the top.

The abandoned former Albina Homestead School as viewed from Mallory Street. Photography courtesy of Steven Schreiber, 1999.

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Sources

Schwabauer, Wanda J. "The Portland Community of Germans from Russia." Diss. Portland State U, 1974. Print.

Photograph of the Albina Homestead School Class of 1919 courtesy of Lillian Lawrence (née Schmer).

Photograph of the Albina Homestead School Class of Jan. 1927 courtesy of Valerie Miller.

​Photograph of the Albina Homestead School Class of 1928, courtesy of Maria Hein.

Multnomah Country Library Online Gallery. Accessed January 8, 2019.

​1895 Portland City Directory lists Samuel Usmar Downs as the principal of the Albina Homestead School.

Reed, Watford. "Schools Bearing Revered Names Had Histories Marked By Strife". The Oregon Journal, April 25, 1966.

Last updated October 30, 2023