George Washington High School
Columns, Washington High School.
Description
George Washington High School in San Francisco was built with the help of Public Works Administration (PWA) funding. It was completed in 1937.
“This building was constructed to reduce overcrowded conditions in other senior high schools. It has 39 classrooms, boys’ and girls’ gymnasiums, a large auditorium with stage, a small music hall with platform and sloping floor, numerous special service rooms for sewing, cooking, bookkeeping, and other subjects.” (Short and Stanley-Brown, p 240)
The high school was part of a larger funding ‘docket’ from the PWA covering 12 elementary and high-school buildings in San Francisco. The construction cost of Washington High School was approximately $782,302 out of $2,997,302 for all 12 schools. (Short and Stanley-Brown, p. 240).
Built as part of School Bond Issue 12.19.1933 $3 million (G.O.)
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“Large window areas not only lighten classrooms, but they also form interesting architectural patterns in the George Washington High School at San Francisco, constructed by PWA.”
George Washington High School verso
"Large window areas not only lighten classrooms, but they also form interesting architectural patterns in the George Washington High School at San Francisco, constructed by PWA."
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“Workmen on steel support of the scaffolding spray concrete on the new wall facing during the modernization of the George Washington Junior High School (…)” “This work is being done with PWA funds.”
Workmen on scaffolding - 1
"Workmen on steel support of the scaffolding spray concrete on the new wall facing during the modernization of the George Washington Junior High School (...)" "This work is being done with PWA funds."
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“Remodeling and reinforcing construction is carried forward on the George Washington Junior High School (…)”
reinforcing construction
"Remodeling and reinforcing construction is carried forward on the George Washington Junior High School (...)"
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“Workmen on the steel scaffolding blow concrete on the walls of the modernized George Washington High School in San Francisco. This work is being done with PWA funds.”
Workmen on scaffolding - 2
"Workmen on the steel scaffolding blow concrete on the walls of the modernized George Washington High School in San Francisco. This work is being done with PWA funds."
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Workmen on scaffolding - 2 verso
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“A scene from the Georgie Washington High School in San Fr ancisco, constructed by PWA.”
Classroom at the Georgie Washington High School
"A scene from the Georgie Washington High School in San Fr ancisco, constructed by PWA."
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Classroom at the Georgie Washington High School verso
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“Wreckers, not aerial Bombardment, are responsible for the destruction of the walls in the Old Auditorium, which was replaced by a modern structure at the George Washington High School.”
destruction of the walls in the Old Auditorium
"Wreckers, not aerial Bombardment, are responsible for the destruction of the walls in the Old Auditorium, which was replaced by a modern structure at the George Washington High School."
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destruction of the walls in the Old Auditorium verso
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“Cast concrete panels over the main entrance of the George Washington High School, symbolize Science, Government and Literature. This building was constructed with PWA funds.”
Cast concrete panels over the main entrance
"Cast concrete panels over the main entrance of the George Washington High School, symbolize Science, Government and Literature. This building was constructed with PWA funds."
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Cast concrete panels over the main entrance verso
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“Entrance and stairway lights in a wing of the George Washington High School in San Francisco. This school was constructed with the aid of PWA funds.”
Side entrance and stairway
"Entrance and stairway lights in a wing of the George Washington High School in San Francisco. This school was constructed with the aid of PWA funds."
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Side entrance and stairway verso
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“The modern facade of cast concrete decorated panels of the George Washington High School in San Francisco, California. This building was constructed with the aid of PWA funds.”
cast concrete decorated panels
"The modern facade of cast concrete decorated panels of the George Washington High School in San Francisco, California. This building was constructed with the aid of PWA funds."
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WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTING REINFORCEMENTS - verso
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cast concrete decorated panels verso
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George Washington High School. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 135- SAR
George Washington High School - 2
George Washington High School. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 135- SAR
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Library with students. National Archives and Records Administration, RG-135-SAR.
George Washington High School - 3
Library with students. National Archives and Records Administration, RG-135-SAR.
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George Washington High School Entrance
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Washington High School Constructing Reinforcements
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“George Washington High School in San Francisco, California, constructed with the aid of PWA funds.”
George Washington High School entrance
"George Washington High School in San Francisco, California, constructed with the aid of PWA funds."
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George Washington High School entrance - verso
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“Facade of the George Washington High School in San Francisco, California, constructed with the aid of PWA funds.”
Facade of the George Washington High School
"Facade of the George Washington High School in San Francisco, California, constructed with the aid of PWA funds."
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Facade of the George Washington High School - verso
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“An old building at the George Washington High School, San Francisco, is replaced by a new auditorium. PWA funds constructed this building.”
Auditorium
"An old building at the George Washington High School, San Francisco, is replaced by a new auditorium. PWA funds constructed this building."
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Auditorium - verso
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George Washington High School
Project Details
Federal Cost | Local Cost | Total Cost | Project #'s |
---|---|---|---|
2997302 |
Source notes
National Archives and Records Administration Box 386, Reel 4604-4605
Short, C. W. and Stanley-Brown, R. Public Buildings: a Survey of Architecture of Projects Constructed by Federal and Other Governmental Bodies between the Years 1933 and 1939 with the Assistance of the Public Works Administration. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1939.
Project originally submitted by Brent McKee on October 7, 2011.
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.
SUBMIT MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS SITE
We are about to lose a piece of this history.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2019/07/04/san-francisco-paint-over-debated-george-washington-mural/M7MsW1aRSRM2OaqjFz3sVP/story.html?event=event25
They are going to paint over the mural inside because it offends modern sensibilities. I thought only the Taliban and fascist regimes destroyed their history because current leaders are offended.