Puyallup High School

Puyallup High School is a high school in the Puyallup School District in Pierce County, Washington, commonly referred to as PHS. History Founded in 1890 as Central High School, the first nine students graduated from the school in 1893. In 1902, the first class to complete four years of high school graduated. In 1928 the new high school building was completed at an approximate cost of $30,000-$35,000. The name of the school then changed from Central High to Puyallup High School. In 1919 the school was expanded adding a junior high along with the gym and auditorium. In 1926 a total of 112 students graduated. Fire The next year (1927), fire hit PHS and the graduation ceremony was held at the Liberty Theater. A new and larger auditorium was added in 1935. Earthquakes The 1949 Olympia earthquake on 13 April 1949 was the first major earthquake to hit Puyallup High School. PHS was not spared as there was serious damage to the building and auditorium. In 1965 the school suffered from the effects of yet another earthquake and again damage was done to the school—Puyallup High School was the only school closed in Pierce County. The band was recording that day, and there are still records in circulation with the sounds of the earthquake. The Nisqually earthquake on 28 February 2001 was the next earthquake to cause damage at the school.