Lincoln High School

Sculpted in bronze, a young Abraham Lincoln gazes out at Lincoln High School. This isn’t just any high school. It’s Seattle’s oldest operating high school, a place steeped in history and reborn for a new generation. Lincoln High School first opened its doors in 1907 in the Wallingford neighborhood. The school was built to accommodate the burgeoning population of the area. The original structure, a grand Jacobean-style building, housed classrooms, a study hall, and a gymnasium. Can you picture the students bustling through the halls, their laughter echoing through the corridors? Over the years, Lincoln High expanded, adding wings and annexes as the city grew around it. The school witnessed Seattle’s history unfold, from the pre-war era to the post-war boom. During World War II, even the internment of Japanese-American students, including the president of the boys’ Lynx Club and the editor of the school newspaper, impacted Lincoln High. The school also served the city of Shoreline until they built their own high school. In the 1950s, Lincoln High reached its peak enrollment of 2,800 students, a testament to its central role in the community. Sadly, in 1981, declining enrollment led to the school’s closure. The once vibrant halls fell silent. The building served as a temporary home for other schools during their renovations, and even as a filming location for the dystopian movie “Class of 1999”. But Lincoln High School was not destined to remain a ghost of its former self. In 2019, after extensive renovations, the school reopened its doors, welcoming a new generation of Lynx. The revitalized Lincoln High School blends the old with the new. The historic auditorium has been transformed into a modern library and media center. The original ornamental plaster beams and coffers, once hidden, are now proudly displayed. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including career and technical education labs, science labs, and a special education suite. The bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln, a gift from sculptor Avard Fairbanks, still stands as a reminder of the school’s namesake and its enduring legacy. Lincoln High School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to the power of community, resilience, and the enduring spirit of education.