Ellensburg's New Normal School Opens on the Hill

Ellensburg, Sept. 20.—[Special.]—The first thing that attracts the attention of the traveler on entering the Kittitas valley from either end on the Northern Pacific is a massive structure of graceful outlines and beautiful proportions standing on an eminence overlooking the town of Ellensburg. The clear atmosphere of this region enables the traveler to secure a comprehensive view of it, even while riding past on the overland, and naturally the question is asked by every one, 'What building is that?' All residents of the state share in the local pride when informed that it is the state normal school, and strangers having no interest in it are emphatic in their expressions of admiration. It is indeed a magnificent building, worthy of a close inspection.

It stands on a block of land 400 feet long by 300 feet deep, and faces south. The style of architecture is decidedly independent, yet very pleasing and attractive. It has two stories and an attic, exclusive of the basement story, in which are located the boilers for the steam heating plant, gymnasium, closets, etc. The basement doors are of cement throughout and the partitions between the many rooms, running clear up to the roof, give this story a very solid appearance.

In the northeast corner of the basement is the gymnasium, a room 57x66 feet, with a ceiling 17 feet high. It is fitted out with the best apparatus obtainable, and will be an attractive feature of the institution.

On the first floor proper are located the offices of the trustees and the principal, reception rooms and class rooms, while in the northeast corner, over the gymnasium, is the auditorium, 57x66 feet, and a stage 15x32 feet. It will seat 400 persons and is furnished with college chairs and lighted by four six-light electroliers. The halls on this floor are thirteen feet wide and the ceilings are fifteen feet high. Every room in the building—there are twenty-six—is well lighted and so arranged that the light falls on the students' backs. The walls and ceilings of all the rooms and halls have a rough, gray sand finish, which is very handsome and restful to the eyes. There is a wainscoting two feet high around every room and three feet high in the halls, made of cedar and fir strips alternately and finished in oil. Transoms over every door insure free circulation of air, and every class room has an annex in the shape of a commodious cloak room.

The floor above is largely given up to class rooms and has in addition a beautiful music room. The floors between the second and third stories are all double and 'deafened,' so that the noise on one cannot possibly cause annoyance on the other. The attic story has not been finished, with the exception of two handsome rooms for the use of the two literary societies of the school—the Crescent and Eclectic. These rooms are side by side and are each 20x56 feet.

The building is heated by fifty-two radiators, covering 4,127 standard feet of radiation surface. Every room and all the halls are well supplied, and a test made by the trustees showed that perfect comfort is assured, even in the coldest weather. The building is lighted throughout by electricity. The water is supplied by the Ellensburg Water Supply Company, and includes adequate protection against fire. A monster sewer, with a sharp pitch, insures first-class drainage and perfect sanitary conditions. This is a feature that the trustees have kept constantly in mind, and no department of the structure has received more careful attention. The closets and sinks are the best that could be obtained, and from a sanitary point of view the building is absolutely perfect.

The structure is 152 feet long from east to west, and 124 feet deep. To the left of the center, as shown in the engraving, a tower rises in graceful proportions to a height of 116 feet. Corresponding with the stories on the main floors are rooms in this tower, fully finished and furnished, for the use of the faculty. The main entrance through the tower is of Tenino brown stone, and is a rich, handsome piece of work. The body of the building is built of brick, with belts of stone encircling it, which add greatly to its appearance. The roof is of tin and is surmounted by a neat wrought iron cresting, which has been put on since the photograph for the accompanying cut was taken.

The furniture and fixtures throughout have been purchased entirely within the state, and at prices that would not have been dreamed of two years ago. The furniture is oak, and Brussels rugs cover the floors that require carpeting, such as the principal's office, the office of the trustees, reception rooms, and the music room. The trustees entered the Sound markets, and by taking their time were enabled to secure splendid bargains and thus save a great many dollars for the state. The result is an effect that is a credit to Washington—rich and tasty, yet not extravagant.

The appropriation for the building was made, and the structure will be turned over to the state, all complete and ready for occupancy, with the appropriation not exhausted. This is an extraordinary occurrence. The rule has always been to use up the appropriation and call for more in the construction of public buildings, and the people have come to look upon the call for more money as a natural sequence. McGraw, however, may be given much of the credit for this gratifying result, as he used excellent judgment in appointing a board of trustees and selected men of recognized business ability and honesty; men who are devoted to the welfare of our state, and who have taken a pride in saving the state every dollar they possibly could. They have accomplished the work at a sacrifice to their private interests, as the position of trustee carries no salary, and a great deal of time has been required of them. This they have cheerfully given, but they feel greatly relieved that their task is done, and certainly they may be pardoned if they feel a pride in what the people of our grand and progressive state must and will pronounce a splendid achievement.

The faculty for the ensuing year is: P. A. Geti, late principal of the Monmouth, Or., normal school, principal, pedagogics; J. H. Moron, vice principal, mathematics; J. A. Mahan, natural science; Eliza Marquis, English grammar, rhetoric and literature; Elizabeth A. Cartwright, elocution and physical culture; C. H. Knapp, history and geography; Fanny A. Ayres, music; Ruth A. Turner, drawing; Anna L. Meward, critic teacher in training school.