THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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Community > Education > Albina Homestead Schools

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 crowed with pupils.
Albina Homestead School circa 1896
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.
Albina Homestead School East Side Elevation Drawing
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
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 and 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 referred to it as 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.

Both of the Albina Homestead Schools were attended by many children from the Volga German community. 
Edison School
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.
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.
Library Albina Homestead School
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.
Albina Homestead School graduating class. Circa 1918. Source: Steve Schreiber.
Picture
Albina Homestead School 8th grade graduating class of 1919
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.
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
An Albina Homestead School class photograph from 1923. Source: Steven Schreiber.
Albina Homestead School Class of January 1927
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
Albina Homestead School Class of 1927. Leona Weber is shown in the 2nd row from top, third from right. Source: Weber family.
1928 Albina Homestead School
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
The abandoned former Albina Homestead School as viewed from Mallory Street. Photography courtesy of Steven Schreiber, 1999.

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 January 18, 2019.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
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    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
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    • Documentary
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    • Folk Medicine
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    • Holidays
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    • Funerals and Burial Sites
  • Resources
    • Family Research
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