History of Prescott School in Missoula located at 1100 Harrison Street in the lower Rattlesnake Valley

Prescott School Missoula has always been interested in the history of Prescott School. 

As mentioned in a previous blog post, my grandmother attended Prescott School in its early years. Unfortunately, psm (Prescott School Missoula) did not talk about Prescott School with my grandmother. The only information remembered is that she attended Prescott School for sewing class.  psm did not know about Prescott School when my grandmother was living.

Below is some history excerpts regarding the history of Prescott School which was found on the Web.  Key words were "history of Prescott school in Missoula".  A few references were found, one which was on the Prescott School web site in a previous year, which one can read below.

Prescott School Missoula is of the opinion that communities need to hold on to as many of the historical treasures as possible.  Because Prescott School has been a part of Missoula's heritage for more than a century, it is even more important for Missoulian's to stand up for Prescott and other schools which have served many generations of Missoula's children throughout the years.

                                                           History               

In 1893, Eastside School was built at the present Prescott School site. It was renamed Prescott School in 1902, but it is unclear whether it was named after William H. Prescott, the famous American historian, or Clarence Prescott, an old-timer that served as Missoula’s chief of police, city marshal, assessor, sheriff, member of the state legislature and county commissioner. The school was rebuilt in 1951-52 and currently has an enrollment of 158 students in grades 4 and 5. Students who attend Prescott would typically attend Mount Jumbo elementary for grades K-3.

and -

Prescott School was originally known as the " East Side School". It opened it's doors in 1891 to provide some relief to the increasing growing pains of the Rattlesnake Valley. Charles Owen purchased the lots at the corner of Harrison and Vine Streets from T.I. Greenough and set about constructing a two-story frame building to be used as a store. He consented to rent the downstairs portion to School district No. 3 for the school. He moved his family into the upstairs quarters. Fanny Robinson was the first teacher in that school in 1882, with the building being used only one year. Afterwards, the building served again in it's original purpose as a neighborhood grocery until the wheels of progress forced its demise. The site is one block east of the present exit ramp for Interstate Highway 90 West at Van Buren Street. Prescott School is home to approximately 133 Fourth and Fifth grade students. Yearly events include a school ski trip, carnival and the Fun Run. There are also the Chess Club, Stamp Club and two game days each week.