Esther Olsen State Project

Esther Olsen
Oregon State President Children of the American Revolution 2010-2011

Strengthening Our Community

    The history of Chemawa Indian School dates back to the 1870's when the U.S. Government authorized a school for Indian children in the Northwest.

    A site was chosen at Forest Grove, on four acres of land rented from Pacific University. Lt. Wilkinson, with the help of eight Puyallup Indian boys began construction on the buildings in 1880. The initial class of students consisted of fourteen boys and four girls. All the students came from the State of Washington. These students were taught blacksmithing, shoemaking, carpentering, wagon making, girl's industries and advancement in studies.

    In 1885, the school moved to a site five miles north of Salem and began construction. The first graduating class completed the sixth grade in 1886. The year 1926 saw the peak enrollment at Chemawa, almost 1,000 students were enrolled. The 11th and 12th grades were added to the curriculum and all grades below the 6th were dropped. In 1927, Chemawa became a fully accredited high school.

    The Chemawa Indian School, soon to be celebrating it's 131st birthday, is the oldest continuously operating boarding school in the United States and numbers its graduates in the thousands. Currently about 300 students board there each year. Two years ago they finished construction on new dorms for the students. The new dorms did not have a place for the students to sit outside.

    Ladybug pins were sold to raise money for Chemawa Indian School. Thanks to generaous donations and pin purchases, we were able to raise $1500.

    See list of contributions at "Friend of the President's Project."

Graphics courtesy of Seven Spot Lady Bug, Aimillie and Backgrounds by Marie.