08/22/2023
Architectural & Historical Significance:
Constructed in 1937, this school was named after Merle Davies, who lived in Beaverton her entire life. Merle's family came from Indiana to Oregon in 1853. The family first settled in the Scholls area of Washington County. Merle was born in 1891 on a 240 acre farm at the corner of Hall and Allen Blvd.. She was 6 years old when her family moved into a house on Farmington Road where she lived for many years. Her father and uncle owned a sawmill south of Beaverton and were also farmers.
From a young age, Merle was determined to become a school teacher. She attended elementary school and two levels of high school.Merle then moved to Salem where she studied to obtain a teaching certificate. Merle first taught in Banks, soon thereafter moving back to Beaverton where she taught the 5th and 6th grades in the fall of 1916. Merle was hired as principal of the school in 1923, though she still continued her teaching. Ms. Davies retired in 1951 after many years of teaching and serving as principal of Beaverton Grade School for 30 years. In 1947, the district administration changed the name of Beaverton Grade School to Merle Davies School, in honor of Ms. Davies.
The Merle Davies School replaced the original Beaverton grade school which was constructed in 1910 to house grades 1-12 until 1916, when Beaverton High School was completed.
The wood frame grade school stood at the corner of Stott and Erickson Streets, where the Beaverton High School east gym is now sited. The elementary school is significant in its association with Ms. Merle Davies, a prominent leader and citizen of Beaverton.
Her family settled in Beaverton in the early days of the city’s history. The school, though constructed as late as 1937 is significant as an example of the revival style of architecture in Beaverton.
Description of the resource and statement of historical significance:
Architectural Significance:
Merle Davies School, constructed in 1937 is a brick one story building with a one and one half story gym attachment. The building is irregular in plan and has had numerous additions, all in keeping with the style and massing of the original portion of the building. The building is covered with several hip and clipped gable roofs of composition shingle. The building and additions are of red brick.
A pair of double metal doors with a transom of 14 lights on the east entry facade are now used for main access to the building. Most of the windows throughout the building are 8/8 double hung sash, with transoms of 4 lights. Multi-paned, fixed windows with transoms are seen in the gymnasium. The building has a concrete foundation. The original portion of the building is the long facade which faces north onto Farmington Road. The original main entry was on this facade, at the center of the building. This facade has two bulls eye windows of 4 lights, each on either side of the 6/6 double hung sash windows that are below the Merle Davies School sign.
Sources consulted:
* The Community Press. Vol. ###II. No. 47. Feb. 25, 1976.
* Washington County Museum. Vertical File: Schools
