Build Year: 1911
Building Type: School
DAHP ID: 18896
Parcel #: 9700041000

Statement Of Significance First Schools in Nisqually were conducted in the homes of the McAllisters and Packwoods early settlers to the are in 1852. They were taught by Miss Elizabeth White and by 1853 Nisqually Bottom settlers had formed a district. Their first building was a log school in this same location. A one room lumber school was built in 1883 across the road. The present school was built in 1911. In 1962 it was consolidated with the North Thurston School District. About 16 families had children who attended the school. The school is on property donated by the Koenig and Hachmann families who owned the original Packwood donation claim. The second owner, Isaac Hawk had given the land but without a deed so later owners Koenig and Hachmann reinstituted the donation. The school represents the first areas of settlement of Thurston County be members of the Simmons party outside Tumwater and has long been a landmark in the Nisqually area. Physical Description Located amid the rich farmlands of the Nisqually Valley, the Nisqually School is a rectangular, one-story wood frame structure. Its hip roof is covered with composition shingles and penetrated by two small brick chimneys; walls are clad with drop siding type cornerboards. The front (east) facade is blank except for a central protruding vestibule with a pedimented gable roof, surmounted by a square open belfry with pyramidal roof topped a flagpole. (The bell no longer remains). The double paneled entry doors are topped by a transom and a painted sign reading “School District #35”. The north wall features three tall double hung windows separated by plain wooden panels but sharing a common sill, and an auxiliary door. The rear wall has another double entry door with a small porch. The interior plan is symmetrical, with a central hallway and two classrooms. Although the interior is deteriorated and the windows boarded over, the building appears to be unaltered from the original and is an excellent example of rural schoolhouse of its era.