Stewart Indian School
For ninety years, Stewart Indian
School addressed the federal government's issues of Indian education in
Nevada. Located three miles southeast of Carson City, the school grounds
encompassed 240 acres. The school opened on December 17, 1890 with 37
students and 3 teachers. Due to federal budget cuts and earthquake
safety issues the school closed in 1980.
In 1888 the Nevada Legislature passed a bill to establish a school to
train and educate Indian children. The original site was purchased from
several ranchers. The campus opened with a capacity for 100 students and
included a Victorian-style dormitory and school house. As enrollment
increased new buildings included shops for training, a hospital and a
recreation room. A platform for the Virginia and Truckee railroad was
added by 1906 to help with transportation of students to and from the
school. By 1919 the school had 400 students. During the next sixteen
years over 60 native stone buildings were constructed by Hopi
stonemasons.
Student curriculum focused on
vocational training so that students could take their place in society.
Boys were taught ranching, mechanics, woodworking, painting and
carpentry, while girls attended classes in baking, cooking, sewing,
laundry and practical nursing. Vocational training remained the school's
focus until the late 1960's when studies shifted to academics.
Sports became an area of pride for the school. Many students excelled
and helped Stewart become a formidable opponent to competing schools.
including the University of Nevada. Honors earned by athletes included
the induction of Walter Johnson into the American Indian Athletic Hall
of Fame in 1973 for track, football and basketball, the same year the
new gymnasium was built.
The first Stewart reunion occurred in 1977 and attracted over 700
alumni. Three years later the school closed. A museum opened on the
grounds in 1982 allowing visitors to learn about the school's history
and remained open until the late 1990's. Today, Stewart Indian School is
on the National Registrar of Historic Places. The Washoe Tribe occupies
some buildings and the State of Nevada occupies most of the former
school's buildings. Memorabilia from Stewart's history can be seen at
the Nevada State Museum's Under One Sky exhibition.
Virtual Exhibit researched and
designed by Beverly Mobley and Michael Holbrook.
For more information go to
http://www.stewartindianschool.com.
