Overview

This was the first location of Saint Mary's Hall, a girl's school that operated in Spokane, WA, between 1891 and 1917 in two locations. In 1900, it was renamed for two Pittsburgh philanthropists, to become known as "Brunot Hall."

Building History

Begun by a husband-and-wife couple, James Lyon and Laura H. Lyon, the first Saint Mary's Hall school for girls taught at all levels and began operations in 09/1891. The Lyons came to Spokane from Indianapolis, IN, to start this Protestant private school, affiliated with the Episcopal Church.

An article in the Spokane Chronicle announced that the Lyons would be sending out a prospectus, outlining the purposes and mission of Saint Mary's Hall: “A prospectus of St. Mary’s Hall, a school for young ladies and girls recently established in this city by Mr. and Mrs. James Lyon formerly of the Indianapolis Institute is soon to be issued. It explains the aims and purposes of the institution, the courses of study pursued, the rules and regulation of the seminary, tuition, etc. The prospectus also contains numerous extracts of letters of commendation from people prominent in educational circles throughout the east where for years Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have been engaged in educational work. The new institution which opens September 15th offers thorough courses in all the fundamental branches. Added to this are courses in idiomatic and conversational French and German translations, etc. Mrs. Lyon, who has studied music undea [sic] superior masters in this country, and who later continued the study in Germany, will give piano instruction, complete in every particular. Elementary, preparatory, intermediate and advanced course of music are offered. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon’s testimonials show conclusively that in the institutions with which they have formally been connected, they have established the fact satisfactorily that their ideas are clear and their power sufficient to impart the knowledge gained by years devoted to study.” (See “St. Mary’s Hall A New School to be Opened Here September 15th,” Spokane Chronicle, 08/22/1891, p. 8.)

The close of the Saint Mary's Hall school year occurred in June. An article of 1893 mentioned: "The young ladies of St. Mary’s hall will graduate with due ceremony the 21st inst. and an attractive program is being prepared. The piano pupils will show the result of a year’s training in the Leipsig method. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Morris of Portland will deliver the address.” (See untitled notice, Spokane Review, 06/11/1893, p. 9.)

The Lyons' leadership of the school ceased in 1895, when the Episcopal Bishop of Spokane Lemuel H. Wells (1841-1936) and his wife Henrietta Bright Garretson Wells (1838-1903), stepped in to make changes. The former Saint Mary's Hall building was transferred to become a boy's school, Saint John's School for Boys, while the bishop changed the girl's school location to the former Webb House, at the corner of West Pacific Avenue and South Hemlock Street.

About the new boys' school Wells was quoted as saying: "Many parents will be glad to learn that it is not the intention of Bishop Wells to abandon the quarters lately occupied by St. Mary’s Hall, but that he has made arrangements to reopen this building for his boys’ school under the able direction of the Rev. Alfred H. Brown, who is expected to arrive in the city tomorrow from the Sound to begin his work of establishment. It seems to us that such a school is very much needed at this time in Spokane, not for our own church, but for the education of hundreds of boys in this city who perhaps can not or do not desire to go far from home. The situation in Cook’s addition was never adapted for a girls’ school, hence its abandonment; but no more beautiful or healthy location could be found for boys. Its commanding position, its fine lawn and play grounds surrounded by a large scope of forest and field, make it an ideal spot for boys in which to learn the first lesson of life.” (See “Bishop Wells’ Work,” Spokane Chronicle, 06/21/1895, p. 3.) It appears that the Cook's Addition, located well south of the central business district, was a bit wilder and less civilized than the Browne's Addition location, seen as preferable for girls in 1895.

R.L. Polk and Company's Spokane Directory, 1896, (p. 501), indicated that the Saint John's School for Boys had a Boarding Department at 1415 3rd Avenue, and a Day Department on the southwest corner of Madison and Sprague Avenues.

In 1897, following their departures from the Saint Mary's Hall, James Lyon worked as the Manager of the Bureau of Educational Information in Spokane, while Laura taught piano lessons at their residence in Room #52 of the Granite Block. (See R.L. Polk and Company’s Spokane City Directory, 1897, p. 417.) By World War I, the couple was operating the Lyons Boarding School for Boys (renamed c. 1918 the "Spokane Academy,") at East 406th 10th Avenue in Spokane. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Spokane City Directory, 1918, p. 582.) The Lyonses lived at the boarding school in 1918.

PCAD id: 24016