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Potlatch Lumber Company is Established
In 1903, Frederick Weyerhaeuser merged with the ClearWater Timber Company to create Potlatch Mills Corporation. Thus began a the company's hunt for land in the wooded region of Idaho. This homesteader cabin is believed to have been built in the later 1800s. The land it sits on is now present-day Potlatch, Idaho. Photo courtesy of Gary Strong. -
The Town of Potlatch is Established
Shortly after the companies merged, they purchased land on the Palouse region of Idaho next to the Palouse River. Construction on the mill and town buildings began shortly after. Photo courtesy of The University of Idaho Archives -
Construction of the Town is Completed
After two years of construction, the town of Potlatch is almost fully formed. In order for the town to operate, homes, churches, a mercantile, a train station, and the mill all needed to exist. Photo courtesy of Potlatch Historical Society Collection, Digital Initiatives, University of Idaho Library -
Construction for the Temporary School Begins
The company includes a temporary school building in their amenity construction plan. With families starting to arrive, the demand for a school building had increased which forced construction to be completed sooner than planned. -
The First School Board
A school cannot exist without the governance of a school board. The Company created their own school board. In 1906, school district #94 was created. F. C. McGowin, Allison Laird, and Loring Comner comprised the first three members of the first school board. -
Temporary School Opens
177 students enroll in Potlatch's first school, making for a tight fit in the temporary building, eight room building and for the five teachers that are employed. Photo courtesy of The University of Idaho Digital Archives. -
First Official School Opens
Construction on the permanent school building is now complete and the school will being on September 2nd. Two new teachers were hired, Ms. Blanche M. Ottis, and Ms. Grace Wescopp, to teach a primary class and the 7th & 8th Grade. -
School enrollment is up to 361 pupils
Within four years, the number of school children doubled. This was a contribution to the growth in the number of workers within Potlatch as well as the encouragement by the Company fro their men to be married with families. -
The State of Idaho rules Potlatch is not a Public School District
The State of Idaho declares Potlatch Schools cannot be a part of the state's public education roster. In order for a school district to exist, there must at least three, independent members on a school board. Since Potlatch is a company town, this was not something that could happen. -
The Union Church Becomes the New High School
In 1912, an even larger Union Church was built to accommodate the town’s size. The old Union Church building was converted into the new high school completed with the amenities that would provide a focused direction of study on home economic courses. . Photo courtesy of The University of Idaho Digital Archives.
