Donald M. Cleland A History of the Santa Monica Schools 1876-1951, Santa Monica Unified School District, February 1952 (Copied for the Santa Monica Library, July 22, 1963). 140 pp., 1919
" . . .
"Washington School, still on the march in 1919, added four new primary rooms, the enrollment of the school having again reached the point where a large number of pupils could not be properly accommodated.
" . . .
When the war ended, people of the town discussed building a suitable memorial to the war heroes who had served and who had given their lives in the great conflict. In the spring of 1919, the Board of Education passed the following resolution:
"Whereas, the Board of Education deems the erection of an open-air theatre on the High School grounds as an integral part of the High School plant, a public necessity for the use of the school and a place of assembly for the citizens of Santa Monica, and whereas the United States, in cooperation with the Allied Nations, has recently won a great victory over Germany and her allies, therefore be it-
"Resolved that the open-air theatre to be erected on the High School grounds shall be a memorial theatre, to be dedicated to the honor of soldiers, sailors, and marines who were enlisted in the World War, and to the memory of those who gave their lives in the cause of that war. And be it further-
"Resolved that the walls of the Memorial Theatre shall bear appropriate tablets, with suitable inscriptions and the name of every soldier, sailor, and marine enlisted from the City of Santa Monica, and from the Santa Monica High School District." [64. Board Minutes, April 21, 1919.]
The designers were instructed to mark with a gold star the name of every soldier, sailor, or marine enlisting from Santa Monica who met death in the war.
A bond issue of May 20, 1919, provided $30,000 to meet the costs of the Memorial Bowl, as designed by Allison and Allison, architects. Fitting into the slope of the hill, below the main group of buildings and above the athletic field, the Memorial follows the traditional lines of the old Greek theaters. With concrete foundations and a facade of ornamental brick, it seats approximately 3000 persons, and was considered at that time the best example of its type to be found in southern California. Facilities for the production of pageants, plays, and aesthetic dances were provided, with the traditional greensward and shallow pool extending from the stage proper. Dance recitals, rallies, school assemblies, and the annual Spanish Fiesta continues to create colorful spectacles from the Memorial Theatre.