TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
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Told <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
<strong>of</strong> many local townspeople. On Sunday, August 4, a disastrous fire<br />
swept <strong>the</strong> business district <strong>of</strong> Spokane Falls, and reduced to ashes<br />
everything within an area <strong>of</strong> 40 acres. Dormitories, halls and classrooms<br />
were thrown open to <strong>the</strong> victims.<br />
A preparatory department for boys over 12 years <strong>of</strong> age was established<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Catholic parish church <strong>of</strong> Spokane Falls in Gonzaga's<br />
third year. Seventeen boys registered <strong>the</strong> first month. The same fall<br />
<strong>the</strong> college opened its doors to day scholars.<br />
The Gonzaga <strong>of</strong> today is a story <strong>of</strong> rapid growth and expansion, <strong>of</strong><br />
unremitting devotion on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> Jesuit fa<strong>the</strong>rs to <strong>the</strong>ir ideals <strong>of</strong><br />
education.<br />
In 1899, a new Gonzaga, constituting a large section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present<br />
plant, opened its doors to 200 students. Ano<strong>the</strong>r wing and two gymnasiums<br />
went up six weeks later. An infirmary followed shortly after.<br />
Unh'ersity status came in 1912 with incorporation <strong>of</strong> Gonzaga's<br />
law school, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two in ,.",ashington. De Smet hall, four-story<br />
student dormitory, opened in <strong>the</strong> twenties. Gonzaga stadium was<br />
erected in 1922. :Music studios and a student building were recent<br />
acquisiti on s.<br />
In 1937, total enrollment reached 600, Saturda~'<br />
summer school, 200.<br />
classes, 100, and<br />
WHITTVORTII COLLEGE AND ITS BEGINNINGS<br />
,Yard W. Sullivan, President<br />
Dr. George W. Whitworth, a pioneer missionary in Western "Vashington,<br />
began in <strong>the</strong> latter part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1870's to look about for some<br />
educational institution to care for <strong>the</strong> Pres<strong>by</strong>terian youth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Northwest.<br />
Dr. Whitworth had established a number <strong>of</strong> churches on <strong>the</strong> coast<br />
and had been called for two terms to <strong>the</strong> presidency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Territorial<br />
University. Through his influence, <strong>the</strong> Pres<strong>by</strong>tery <strong>of</strong> Puget Sound<br />
appointed a committee to organize an academy. In 1883 such a school<br />
was organized at Sumner, <strong>Washington</strong>. Mr. John M. Kincaid donated<br />
a tract <strong>of</strong> land on which <strong>the</strong> academy was built. The first classes<br />
were held in <strong>the</strong> Pres<strong>by</strong>terian church at Sumner.<br />
The academy had a difficult time remaining in existence from 1884<br />
until 1889. In 1889 <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees, <strong>of</strong> which Dr. Whitworth<br />
was chairman, decided to transform <strong>the</strong> academy into a college. This<br />
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