We're proud of our heritage!

.....BOOK ON SALE NOW.....

THE LIONS ROAR
Lafayette Elementary School 
Over a century of recorded history for a Eureka Elementary School 
and the people who have made it great!
Researched, compiled and recorded by Carol A. Skaggs
published December 2007 revised and added to May 2008
This book is now available and for sale at Lafayette Elementary School for $10.00.  With 183 pages of Eureka City Schools' history and over 300 pictures, this book records Eureka City School history since the 1850's.  Schools which have almost been forgotten, Adams, Bancroft, Longfellow, Pioneer, Brown, Whittier, Convent School, Times Building School, Western Watchman Building School, Bucksport School and Franklin School are all included in this book.  Eureka City Schools such as Worthington, Marshall, Grant, Lincoln, Washington, Alice Birney, Jefferson, Winship, Zane, Jacobs and others are also discussed.  The main emphasis, of course, centers around the 105-year history of LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

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On September 23, 1901, the Eureka City Council allocated $15,000 to purchase property, draw plans, and build Lafayette School on M Street at 11th Street.  Lewis D. Stone was the architect and Theodore Dean was the building contractor, with a low bid of $13,540.  The building was a three-story structure with the same layout as other grammar schools of this time.

The bids were opened June 16, 1902 and completion date was set for December 1, 1902.  D.P. Simpson was superintendent of construction.  The school was opened in 1903.  This attractive building was condemned in 1938 as being unsafe for occupancy and was demolished.  Robert Douglas was the contractor of the new Lafayette School built in the 1950's.  The new site, located at 3100 Park Street is the current home of Lafayette staff and students.

(The Humboldt Historian, September/October 1986, page 10)  

       

                      Lafayette School on M & 11th Street
                             (currently Eureka's Ross Park)
                      1903-June 13, 1941    (demolished 1946)  

              Lafayette School on 3100 Park Street
                    First Graduating Class in the 1950's
                                       1953-Present

                                      Principals of Lafayette Elementary School

1903-1906    -  J. B. Brown  
1906-1908    -  H.B. Stewart
1908-1910    - J.N. Davies
1911-1920    - Clara A. Clark(e)
1920-1926    - Emma Longford
1926-1931    -  Laura E. Cuddeback
1931-1941    - Thomasina Tomlinson 
1941-1953    - "No Principals"  - Years between the two locations of Lafayette School Buildings 
1953-1963    - Katherine C. 'Katie' Bates (3100 Park Street location)
1963-1965    - Ray  R. Cetina
1965-1977    - Joseph Barkdull
1977-1993    - Phil Kirby
1992-1993    - Bob Munther (shared with Worthington School)
1993-1998    - Ron Pontoni
1998-2003    - Jim Sanders
2003-2006    - Laurie Alexander
2006-            - Kathleen Honsal


1910 Lafayette Elementary School
This is Lafayette’s 6th grade class with Teacher/Principal J. N. Davies.   

Please contact Carol Skaggs, School Librarian (441-2482) or email:  skaggsc@eurekacityschool.org if you're
interested in purchasing a Eureka City Schools history book entitled:  THE LIONS ROAR.

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