The Lowell School was originally named the Pontius School, renamed the Columbia School in 1891, and was finally renamed the Lowell School in 1910. It was built in 1889 on East Mercer Street on Capitol Hill. At that time, the area was outside the city limits. Within 20 years, the city had grown and the school was surrounded by a new, wealthy neighborhood.

This photo shows Lowell School's two wood frame buildings in about 1911. The boys seem to be spending recess watching the photographer.

Photographer's Reference Number: W&2040

Caption information source: "Seattle Public Schools, 1862-2000: Lowell Elementary School," HistoryLink essay 10547, retrieved from https://www.historylink.org/File/10547.