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Overview

This grand, Neo-classical school opened in 1908, The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary operated it as both a Catholic academy for girls and as a normal school, a place where secondary school teachers were trained. In 1910, Sister Mary Leontine Superior led the Holy Names Academy. (See R.L. Polk's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1910, p. 784.) The highly productive, but short-lived partnership of Breitung and Buchinger designed the elaborate edifice.

Building History

Bishop Edward J. O'Dea (1856-1932) presided at the laying of the cornerstone in 1907 and was at the building's dedication on 11/09/1908. According to a Seattle Daily Times article of 09/20/1908, the new Holy Names building, at 19th Avenue and Aloha, cost about $250,000 to build. The land on which the school stood had a value of $100,000 at the time. The Times stated: "The Old Holy Names property, in the Jackson Street regrade district, is worth $350,000. To complete the regrade it was necessary to tear down the old building, which was for years a Seattle landmark." (See "Seattle Catholic Church Property Worth Many Millions," Seattle Daily Times, 09/20/1908, p. 53.)

An advertisement for the Holy Names Academy in R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1910, described the school's curriculum at that time: "A full four years' High School Course is required for graduation from the Academic Departments. The Primary and Grammar School Courses serve as a Training School for Students of the Normal Department, The Advanced Normal Course requires two years of work beyond the High School. Holy Names Normal School is under the direction of Miss M. Armeda Kaiser, of the San Jose Normal School. Miss Kaiser is assisted by Miss M.A. Kennedy, of the Boston Training School, and a staff of specialists. The School of Music is under the direction of capable Instructors who teach Piano, Harp, Violin and other instruments. Voval and Theoretical Music are given special attention. A well-equipped Gymnasium under the direction of Miss Juanita Gnecchi of the Boston Gymnasium, is an attractive feature of the institution. The Elocution Classes are under the direction of Mrs. Ethel Webb Livesley." (See Holy Names Academy advertisement, R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1910, insert between pp. 784-785.)

PCAD id: 8115