Coe School
Coe School

The History of Frantz H. Coe Elementary

Frantz H. Coe Elementary is named after Frantz H. Coe, M.D. (1856-1904). Dr. Coe began his career as principal of Phenix, Michigan public schools at the age of 23. In 1884 he attended medical school, and four years later traveled west to Seattle, to begin his medical career.

Frantz H. Coe

Though a prominent physician, Dr. Coe (right) never forgot his early days as an educator. He served on the Seattle School Board 1901-1904. A progressive thinker he was instrumental in hiring the first women as principals. He wrote in his journal, "I am absolutely satisfied women make better principals than men and wish to open up a new era in Seattle schools". Three years after Dr. Coe's death, the school board honored his memory in the naming of our school. We are proud to continue his progressive heritage.

Coe Elementary School has been an important learning institution since it opened in two temporary wooden structures on its present site in 1905. The school was initially an annex to the Queen Anne School (later the West Queen Anne School). Those structures were replaced in 1907 by an eight-room, two-story building designed by James Stephen. The building was built in the classic Ionic Colonial style. The surrounding community grew and in 1914 an eight-room addition was added to the north side of the building, housing 575 students.

The original school, 1915 baseball team and tragic 2001 fire

Coe alumni who graduated in the 1920's remember separate playgrounds for boys and girls, marching into the building each morning to a student playing the piano, and a library that consisted of a table of books outside the principal's office. The building was home to grades kindergarten through eight until 1950 when eighth graders were sent to junior high at Queen Anne High School. Seventh graders followed in 1955.

Coe has been home to thousands of students over the years. In 2000 many gathered at Coe to celebrate its history. They shared fond memories of teachers, school carnivals, poems and books read, favorite classes, and former classmates. Alumni brought class photos and school snapshots that were displayed and shared. As one alumnus remarked, "this building holds memories for so many people". She remarked of the "small town thread" that runs through Coe's history.

It is the memories that the historically landmarked building holds, that made the fire on January 21, 2001 so tragic. Coe School was half way through a renovation that would have added additional space and modernized the building, while respecting its historic features. At the time Coe School was temporarily housed in the Magnolia School. In the aftermath of the fire, the school community has pledged that the spirit of Coe and its history will carry on. A new building that will be evocative of the historical character of Coe School is due to be completed in December 2002.