The first day school of any kind in Portland was opened in the fall of 1847 by Dr. Ralph Wilcox. It was conducted in a private house erected by Mr. McNamee at the foot of Taylor Street. It continued for one quarter and from time to time in the years following school would be carried on by some teacher for three months. The usual charge was $10. per pupil for the quarter. The first 'free school' is mentioned in the Oregonian of December 6, 1851. John T. Outhouse was the principal and began teaching in the school house next door to the 'City Hotel' on Monday Dec. 15, 1851. Books used were 'Saunder's readers, Goodrich's geographies, Thompson's arithmetics and Bullion's grammar'. School District No. 1 was not formally organized until April, 1856.
