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INTRODUCTION As the Thurston community grew, there became an ever-growing need for a high school in the area. So in 1959, District 19 began to build Thurston Senior High School. In 1960, Thurston High School had their first graduating class. Since then, there have been a lot of changes and additions to the school. Many different events have occurred, and all have added to the history and character of the school community. 
THURSTON AREA Soon after Springfield was settled, the Thurston area, found on the eastern edge of present day Springfield, began to be settled as well. The first claim made in the area was made by John McNutt, an Irish immigrant, in 1851. Many other foreign settlers came to Thurston to claim land, along with settlers from other states. The rich riverbed soil in Thurston was ideal for farmers growing wheat, hay, and hops. This attracted many farmers to the area. To stagecoach travelers heading east of Springfield, Thurston soon became a convenient stop where they could rest for the night. Thurston was a blossoming place, and was later annexed into Springfield. SCHOOL DISTRICT The Springfield School District was organized in 1854, which was the same year that the Oregon Territorial Government declared a system of schools. Glenwood was part of the school district until 1914 and in 1945 Maple and Hayden Bridge schools joined the Springfield District. In 1949, the Springfield School District #19 contained Springfield Junior High, Brattain, Goshen, Lincoln, Lower and Upper Camp Creek, Maple, Mt. Vernon, and Thurston Elementary which then joined with the Union High School District of Mohawk Elementary, Walterville, and Leaburg. Since 1949, six elementary buildings have been constructed which included Centennial, Douglas Gardens, Guy Lee, Moffit, Page, and Yolanda along with the three middle schools; Thurston, Hamlin, and Briggs. Also one high school was built which was Thurston High. In 1997, two more elementary schools and one middle school were built. The old Mt. Vernon was closed and rebuilt a few blocks down the road and Riverbend was also built. Agnes Stewart Middle School was built to reduce the number of students in the overcrowded middle schools that already existed. Building these new schools changed the boundaries of the schools. There was a big debate about which schools Springfield students would attend, but this was finally settled and the schools were finally built. BUILDING INFORMATION Thurston High School's initial construction date was in October of 1959, and the initial cost of the school was $1,205,076.00. The site for Thurston High was 52.38 acres, which was 289,260 square feet. The school was built in three different phases. The architect who designed the school was Wegroup, but there were other architects who helped throughout the construction of the school, depending on which phase was being built. The first addition was designed by Wilmsen, Endicott & Associates and built by the Furtick Construction Company. The cost of the addition was $299,378.00. Wilmsen, Endicott & Associates, with Youel Construction Company constructed the gymnasium at the cost of $8,590.00. The second addition was designed by Wilmsen, Endicott & Associates and contracted by Byron Nelson in June of 1969. The school started out with 46 classrooms, but has grown to 70 classrooms at the present time. The school has had many improvements and additions over the years. Some of the improvements include the major additions to the library. In 1978 the library was remodeled to add the Counseling and Career Development Center in the back. The locker bays have been remodeled and even moved to a different area of the school. The classrooms that are now the foreign language rooms were once locker bays. Some major sports modifications were the tennis courts that were added in 1989 for $109,000, making it possible for our tennis teams to practice at our own school. The baseball dugouts for our varsity field weren't even installed until 1987. 
1996
SPORTS When the school first opened, the sports teams were different from what we have now. At the time, they had a gymnastics team, which was for guys only. The Rally Squad, now known as cheerleaders, always had guys on the squad. The girls had very few sports they could play; the only sports they had at the time were track and field, volleyball, and field hockey. Field hockey is no longer a sport in the area high schools. The girls didn't have their own physical education facility and dressing room until 1969, which was six years after the school opened. The girls also had the dance and drill team, known as the Ponytails, now called Cabaret. Today the girls play all the same sports that the guys do, with the exception of volleyball, which the guys do not play. There was a Varsity Letter Club for guys only. And the only thing you could letter for were varsity sports. But now you can letter for things such as Honor Society, band, choir, bowling and other activities. The sports and activities around the school have changed a great deal since the early '60s.
Sports of Today
EVENTS Since the school has opened, many different events have changed the school history in big ways. The most recent event that has changed our school was the shooting which occurred on May 21, 1998. This event put Thurston in the National spotlight. Media lingered at the school days after the shooting and unfortunately, this incident stands out the most in the school's history. Along with the shooting, the school has had other problems. One such incident was when charges were filed against Thurston volleyball coach, Warren Weiseth, in 1996. This led to the firing of Principal Wayne Hill during the 1997-98 school year. These our only two of the major events which have occurred over the years. CONCLUSION These events are commonly what Thurston gets recognized for, but there are many little things that make up the school that don't usually get recognition . All these things have contributed to the history of the school. The history of Thurston High School has changed many times since it was built. It will continue to change up until it is no longer used. It has shaped and molded the lives of students throughout its years of existence, and continues to do so to this very day.
Designed by Eric Hustrulid and Ricky Johnson Thurston High School 2000 Full copy of 20 Mile Radius Project available at Springfield Museum 590 Main Street Springfield, OR |
