| Statement of Significance
Constructed in 1924, Abernethy School was part of a dramatic building program begun by the Portland Public Schools in the early 1900s. Gradually influenced by John Dewey’s Progressive Education Movement, the district responded to changing city demographics and ideas concerning school safety, sanitation, and child centered instructional methods beginning in the first decade of the 1900s (Rippa, 1997: passim; Cremin 1961: 135-153; Cubberley 1915: 283-290). By 1905, it became increasingly clear that dramatic increases in school-age children outstripped the district’s existing classroom capacity and existing schools could not effectively serve areas of the city where new residential development was occurring (Cubberley 1915: 283-285, 288-290).
After several well-publicized school fires elsewhere in the United States, calls for a more fundamental change in the building stock of the district began as early as 1906 when Mayor Lane called for the construction of new “fireproof” school buildings (Oregonian, 10-31-1906). In 1910, various city neighborhood “advancement clubs” joined forces to discuss the unfit school buildings in their respective neighborhoods (Oregonian 07-31-1910). Soon after this meeting, on August 16, 1910, the Portland City Council enacted a requirement that all schools constructed after January 1, 1911 would have to be of fire proof construction (Powers and Corning 1937: 183). By 1914, in the first joint meeting between Portland city officials, Multnomah County Commissioners and the school board, officials agreed to work with building code officials to encourage the use of fireproof construction and to implement fire safety measures in all existing and future schools (Oregonian, 03-31-1914).
In 1908, Portland Public Schools created the Bureau of Properties in an effort to centralize the management of the district’s various properties (Powers and Corning 1937: 182). Within this office, the District architect took on a more formalized role in the design and maintenance of school facilities. Two of the most influential district architects during this period included Floyd Naramore and George Jones who designed a majority of the schools from 1908 to 1932.
The architect of Abernethy School, George H. Jones, was well versed in the design of school facilities through his role as Superintendent of building for the district. The son of Thomas J. Jones, who had also served as district architect for many years, George Jones was born in Portland in 1887. After attending Oregon State College for two years, George Jones obtained a degree in architecture in 1913. Jones worked in New York for several years before serving in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers during World War I. Following his return to Portland in 1920, Jones obtained his architecture license. He quickly assumed the position of school architect after his predecessor Floyd A. Naramore became district architect for the Seattle School District.
In his role as district architect, George Jones designed about 25 new schools and supervised the construction of additions for many existing building. Following his tenure with the Portland Schools, Jones went into private practice in Portland. With architect Harold Marsh, he established the firm of Jones & Marsh. Throughout his career Jones continued to specialize in school design, with projects in Pendleton, Klamath Falls and Oregon City. The firm of Jones & Marsh also designed additions to Roosevelt High School in Portland, buildings at Concordia Academy, and the Engineering wing and coliseum at Oregon State College in Corvallis (Ritz 2002 217).
In response to growth in the southeast areas of Portland the District acquired the property at 2421 SE Orange Avenue for $64,010 in 1923. The building was constructed in 1924 for $458,624 (PPS School Chronology Binder). The school was one many of Portland’s new fire proof buildings that were constructed of brick and concrete. Jones utilized a U-shaped plan characteristic of the schools he designed during this period. Like other PPS buildings constructed during this period, Abernethy contained more differentiated and increasingly specialized spaces (Powers and Corning 1937: 182).
The Classical Revival architectural details of Abernethy School were in keeping with the other revival styles employed by the architects of PPS during this period. This style, along with Colonial Revival and Collegiate Gothic styles, was viewed as inspirational and appropriate for educational settings (Betelle 1919: 28; Sibley 1923: 66; Patton 1967: 1-8). Between the onset of the Great Depression and World War II, few schools were constructed in Portland; however, several schools, including Abernethy, were recipients of Works Progress Administration (WPA) artwork. WPA artist, Enrich Lamade, painted "Pageant of Oregon History" in the Abernethy School library (Horowitz 2008:4). The mural has been painted over (PPS personal communication).
Abernethy School retains moderate integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, with its plan and exterior and interior finishes largely intact. The 1924 Classical Revival style school is recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for its association with progressive era public school construction in Portland (Criterion A). The school was built during the PPS program of progressive era construction and is a strong example of the principles that characterized the design of schools during this era; therefore, it is eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion A. As a good example of the two-story schools that were constructed during the early-twentieth century that embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Classical Revival style school building, Abernethy School is also eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion C. |
