THEODORE ROOSEVELT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL EUGENE, OREGON 1949–2016 Liz Carter HERITAGE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES REPORT NO. 412 THEODORE ROOSEVELT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, EUGENE, OREGON, 1949–2016 by Liz Carter Prepared for Eugene School District 4J Eugene, Oregon Heritage Research Associates, Inc., 1997 Garden Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97405 March 2016 Heritage Research Associates Report No. 412 ABSTRACT The 1949–1950 International Style Roosevelt Junior High (Middle) School, in Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, was designed by Portland architects Wolff and Phillips. Built to its current configuration over a period of years, it replaced the 1924 Roosevelt Junior High, which was converted to Condon Elementary School in 1953 and is now owned by the University of Oregon, known as Agate Hall. The subject school is representative of the community’s response to post-World War II population growth as well as the changing architectural trends of the mid-twentieth century. As evaluated under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Roosevelt Middle School was found to be historically significant for its association with post-World War II educational shifts and trends, and for its architectural character as a good local example of the International Style, which came into common use in the years following the war. Although not the first post-war school constructed in Eugene—it was preceded by Colin Kelly Junior High—and certainly not the last to be built in response to the Baby Boom, Roosevelt became a lauded focal point of new, progressive pedagogical approaches, and the building reflected those ideas architecturally. The original portion of the new school building was constructed in 1949–1950, with historic-period additions made between 1950 and 1957 (in 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955, and 1957). As need dictated, various incremental additions were made in the 1960s (in 1965 and 1968), and some minor alterations in 1976 and 1978. The building suffered a fire in 1985, the repairs from which resulted in some change to its front (north) facade appearance. Overall, however, the building retains sufficient historical integrity to convey its period of construction and its original character, design and architectural style. Today, Roosevelt Middle School is representative of the design and evolution of mid- twentieth century school buildings throughout the region. The original plan and subsequent additions follow the trends and needs of that time: to provide communities with safe, pleasant, economical schools for the rapidly growing student population. The Eugene School District 4J will demolish the building in 2016 and starting Fall of 2016 students will attend the newly completed Roosevelt Middle School, currently under construction immediately to the west of the subject building. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research and preparation of this documentation report was funded by the Eugene School District 4J as partial mitigation for its construction of a new middle school on the property, and the subsequent demolition of this 1949–1950 building. Other components of the mitigation include Roosevelt Middle School student engagement, yearbook development and archive, development of the Roosevelt Middle School website, a community open house and feature presentation about the school’s history, and remembrance in the new school building. All are designed to provide future generations and researchers with historical and cultural information about the Roosevelt Junior High/Middle School and the period in which it was built and used. Kathryn Toepel of Heritage Research Associates provided project management and oversight, and Tama Tochihara provided research support. Jon Lauch, Director of Facilities Management at the 4J School District facilitated access to the building and to 4J’s collection of historical documents. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ..................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................. x INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION ...................................................................... 2 Setting .............................................................................................................. 2 General Characteristics .................................................................................... 2 Exterior Description ......................................................................................... 3 Interior Description .......................................................................................... 4 Alterations ........................................................................................................ 8 HISTORIC BACKGROUND ................................................................................... 11 Significance Statement ..................................................................................... 11 Contextual Background ................................................................................... 12 Mid-twentieth Century Educational Architecture and Its Architects .............. 18 Theodore Roosevelt Junior High (Middle) School .......................................... 22 SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................ 28 FIGURES .................................................................................................................. 32 APPENDICES Appendix A: Original Plan Drawings, 1949 Appendix B: Addition—Plan Drawings, 1951 Appendix C: Additions—Plan Drawings, 1954 Appendix D: Additions—Plan Drawings, 1955 Appendix E: Kitchen Expansion—Plan Drawings, 1957 Appendix F: Additions—Plan Drawings, 1965 Appendix G: Additions—Plan Drawings, 1968 Appendix H: Fire Damage Repair/Remodel—Plan Drawings, 1986 v LIST OF FIGURES Page 1 USGS topographical map with Roosevelt Middle School indicated ............... 32 2 Lane County tax map ....................................................................................... 32 3 Aerial view of Roosevelt Middle School site prior to construction of new school ........................................................................................................ 33 4 Aerial view of Roosevelt Middle School building .......................................... 33 5 Front elevation of Roosevelt Middle School from E. 24th Avenue ................ 34 6 Northeast corner of Roosevelt Middle School from Hilyard Street ................ 34 7 Southeast corner of Roosevelt Middle School from Hilyard Street ................ 34 8 East elevation of Roosevelt Middle School from Hilyard Street ..................... 35 9 West elevation of Roosevelt Middle School from E. 24th Avenue ................. 35 10 West side of Roosevelt Middle School with play fields, view from E. 24th Avenue ................................................................................................. 35 11 Roosevelt Middle School, current floor plan with various additions and dates indicated .................................................................................................. 36 12 View of front elevation of school looking west from corner of E. 24th Avenue and Hilyard Street .................................................................. 37 13 View of eastern end of front elevation of school looking east/southeast ........ 37 14 View of western end of front elevation of school looking west/southwest ..... 38 15 View of north elevation, looking east .............................................................. 38 16 View of Boy’s Gymnasium and Gym Addition/Band Room, looking east/southeast ................................................................................................... 39 17 View of west end of Boy’s Gymnasium doorway ........................................... 39 18 View of western end of rear elevation of school; 1968 gym addition to left, D Hall wing to right ......................................................................................... 40 19 View of western end of rear elevation of school; 1968 gym addition to left, D Hall wing to right ......................................................................................... 40 20 Paved play area ................................................................................................ 41 21 Paved play area ................................................................................................ 41 22 Paved play area, view looking west from B Hall doorway .............................. 41 vi LIST OF FIGURES (continued) Page 23 South side of kitchen ........................................................................................ 41 24 Girls’ Gymnasium and locker room ................................................................ 41 25 View of east side elevation of Girls’ Gym and Music Room addition ............ 42 26 View of east side elevation of school looking south from corner of E. 24th Avenue and Hilyard Street .................................................................. 42 27 Courtyard between E Hall and C Hall ............................................................