Las Vegas Grammar School / Westside School

The Las Vegas Grammar School is located at Washington and “D” Streets in Las Vegas, Nevada and was added to the National Register of Historic Places (#79001460) on April 2, 1979.

From the national register’s nomination form:
History of Westside School has great historical significance in that it is Las Vegas’ oldest remaining schoolhouse. It was the original “Branch No. 1, Las Vegas Grammar School”. The original building, the one proposed for renovation through this funding was built in 1922, at Washington and “D” Streets. The original building consisted of just two classrooms–the front two rooms of the existing structure. The back two rooms which make up the building were added in 1928.

The school was built on land donated to the Clark County School District by Helen J. Stewart in 1921. The first two rooms contained 1st and 2nd grades only and the two remaining rooms added in 1928 housed 3rd and 4th grades. The first principal of the school was Ms. Ruth Fyfe who served from 1924-1935. She currently resides in Las Vegas and may be reached at 384-1472.

The second principal of the school was Mr. Howard A. Wasden, who ser- ved from 1935-1942. He also resides in Las Vegas and may be reached at 734-6977. It is interesting to note that there were no black students at the school in its early days. The first black students were in attendance in 1926-27. Some early students of note who attended the Westside School included Dr. Sam Davis and Mrs. Mendoza, mother of District Judge John Mendoza.

It should also be noted that the original building was painted grey, not the pink color that it is now. The Westside School location is also historically significant as the original Las Vegas town site. In 1948, eight block classrooms were added to the school complex, under the construction supervision of Mr. Ben 0. Davey. The facility as it now stands is partially wood frame and partially concrete block and is situated on a 2.6 acre parcel. The school was phased out for use on June 8, 1967–the last principal being Mr. D. French–and on November 24, 1974, the School Board of Trustees declared it to be surplus property and adopted a resolution to sell at its appraised market value of $25,000.

In the spring of 1975, the Economic Opportunity Board received $37,500 from 1st Year Community Development Block Grant funds from the City of Las Vegas. $25,000 was spent to purchase the facility and the remaining $12,500 was used for preliminary restoration of the block structure.

The Westside School is significant to the Black Community of Las Vegas from a social and education stand point. It was the school for the Black citizens; enabling many to obtain a basic education and /or go on to secondary educational facilities. The community leaders of the Westside still regard the old school with affection and esteem.

The Westside School played a key role in the historical development of Las Vegas.

Westside School, opening in 1921, was the first grammar school in West Las Vegas. It was the first public school attended by Native American students from the Piaute Indian Colony, which is located approximately one mile from the school.

Westside School was also the first school of attendance for two major waves of migrants to the Las Vegas area. The first wave occurred in the early 1930’s and was caused by the construction of Hoover Dam. The latter took place in early 1940, with war-related industry being the prime attractor. Many of the latter group were Blacks coming from the rural south and their arrival marked the physical beginning of today’s West Las Vegas-North Las Vegas Black community.

Although socially significant to many groups, the Westside School is more significant to the Black community. Many Blacks had their first experience with racially integrated education at Westside. It was also the school they attended while making the transition from a rural to an urban life style and Westside is located in the current Black community.

Although regarded with affection and esteem by many citizens of Las Vegas, the Black community has a stronger emotional attachment to the school. Westside School played a significant role in the individual and collective beginning of the heritage of Black citizens and their community.

Finally, upon restoration of Westside School, community members have expressed the desire to be a part of the use of the school. Plans have been made to accommodate a senior-citizen project and historical artifacts room.

Alumni have agreed to maintain the school.