District 50 ...Whittier Elementary

The History of District 50 School — Later Whittier Elementary

• May 1882:
  Hunter was established as the 50th School District. Since there was no school in Hunter, the district’s eight students attended school in nearby Granger.

• 1885:
  The Hunter Ward house was built and served as both a school and a church for about five years, providing a local place for learning and worship.

• 1891:
  The community constructed a two-story brick school building east of the ward house. This was called The 50 District School, the first dedicated school building in Hunter.

• 1905:
  The 50th School District became part of the newly formed Granite School District, which organized education across the region.

• 1906:
  The school’s name was changed from The 50 District School to Hunter Elementary.

• 1908:
  The school was renamed again as Whittier Elementary, a name it kept for many years.

• 1909:
  Due to growing enrollment, a new two-story, eight-room brick addition was built just north of the original school, connected by a passageway. The building cost about $8,000 and was heated by coal. There were no telephones; a handbell was used to signal the start, end, and recess times. Desks were arranged in long rows hooked together.

• Early 1900s (exact dates unspecified):
  The school boundaries covered a large area — from 4800 West to 7200 South and extending as far north and south as the district reached. Students living too far to walk were picked up by horse-drawn wagons, driven by teamsters who were paid $45 per month. Two women notably worked as teamsters driving the wagons.

• 1956:
  Whittier Elementary expanded further, adding 22 classrooms, a gymnasium/cafeteria, and a library

Built in 1891

If you squint your eyes and change the brightness of the picture you can read the words "50th District School: