Marcus Whitman Elementary School was named after territorial missionary Marcus Whitman. In July, 1908, Whitman School, an old frameschool house, probably constructed before the turn of the century and located on the corner of South Avenue (now Wellesley Avenue) and Pittsburg Street, became a part of the Spokane School District. The school contained six classrooms with one group of students meeting in the basement around the old wood furnace. lt was not long before the need for a new and larger school became evident.
In March 1912, bids for the “new Marcus Whitman School” were received and in 1913 the school on north Pittsburg opened its doors.
Continuing growth of the student population in the Whitman attendance area created the need for additional classrooms and the twelve room annex was added in 1949.
On March 7, 1980, ground was broken to begin construction of the present Whitman School. Students entered its doors on January 30, 1981, and on February 27, 1981, Marcus Whitman Elementary was dedicated.
In the 2008-09 school year Whitman celebrated their 100 year anniversary.
