History of Washington School
Beginnings
At the turn of the 20th century, a school serving Stillwater's black children opened, first through eighth grade.
The wooden building pictured above was constructed ca. 1906.
1938 Building
This venerable 1938 building was well designed and built, and has stood the test of time.
Over time additions were made to the complex, to ultimately include east and west wings, an auditorium and interconnecting covered walkways.
The School Complex
The School Complex
The expansion of the campus enabled the school to serve the upper grades, ninth through twelfth.
Education
First HS Graduate
In 1938, Melva Carter Bowman was the first to graduate from Washington High School.
Last Graduating Class
The last graduating class of 1956.
Academics
From the onset, Washington School had dedicated faculty, administration, support staff and volunteers to help students succeed.
Vocational Training
Washington offered a wide range of vocational training including woodworking, home economics, shoe repair, and more.
Woodshop photo shown here.
Music Programs
Music Programs
Music programs included band and chorus.
1954 Marching Band.
Sports
Basketball
Basketball
In the first year of legally mandated desegregation, 1956, only one black high school in Oklahoma agreed to compete with non-black teams, Stillwater's Washington School. That year, Washington School won the "Class C" State Basketball Championship. Coach Mr. Thomas Watkins.
Copy of newspaper photo and write up above.
The Team's amazingly accomplishment was honored in the Washington School Heritage Foundation organized banquet in 2024
Football
Football
Coach Watkins also led the school's football program for many years.
Challenges
Flooding & Countermeasures
Neglect and Localized Issues
Neglect and Localized Issues
The school property comprises a full city block, all in a flood zone. A photo of the school was taken soon after the 1957 flooding event, that affected much of the state.
A 2025 Foundation commissioned engineering and architectural assessment advises that the building is with few exceptions, is in good condition.
Neglect and Localized Issues
Neglect and Localized Issues
Neglect and Localized Issues
The school buildings have been out of service for decades and not maintained for some time. The property went into private ownership in 1991 and had several owners until 2022.
Wood decay was identified in the recent architectural and engineering review, and is attributed to localized roof leakage. Repairs are necessary but not onerous.
New Beginnings
In December 2022 the City of Stillwater purchased the property which was enabled by a donation for such. Conditions of the donation included that the property would serve the community.
When the City purchased the property in 2022, the roofs on the core structure were largely intact, with a few exceptions.
On February 26, 2024 the City of Stillwater City Council formed the Washington School Advisory Committee to provide guidance to the Council.
In July 2024 the duties were stated to be “the Washington School Advisory Committee shall be to advise and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the assessment, proposed design, renovation, or redevelopment of the building from planning through construction in order to meet the primary objectives of preserving the history of the Washington School building through execution of improvements to the building for future use for education, sports recreation, events and parking. The Washington School Advisory Committee shall have no other duties.”
2023 City Sponsored Volunteer Work Day
Volunteer work started on the school in 2023 with regular City of Stillwater sponsored “workdays”. The focus of these workdays has been “clean-up” and demolition of non-salvageable structures.
Gymnasium Roof Damage from March 2025 Historic Windstorm
In March 2025 an historic windstorm blew off much of the gymnasium roof, exposing the well-preserved wood structure.
Architectural and engineering inspections and reports have informed a decision by the City to demolish the east and west wings and the auditorium, leaving only the 1938 building. The auditorium was built on the utility and transportation right-of-way and all of its interior furnishings, including the stage and seats were removed during private ownership. The City approved the demolition bid and work is expected to be complete by February 2026.