Palo Christi Elementary School has a long, rich history. It is unique in that it has had two names and two dates of birth. The cornerstone clearly states that the school was built in 1928, but the kids did not actually start school in their new building until January of 1929. In looking over old records, I found there are frequent references to both dates. For the purposes of this project, I have chosen to use a start date of 1929, since that is the year that children’s voices were first heard in these hallways.

Concerning the issue of two different names, visitors to the school will see engraved over the doorway the words KingmanGrammar School, and that was indeed the school’s original name. Folks around town back then often referred to it simply as “the grammar school.” In the early 1960s, the name was changed to the current name, Palo Christi.

It is impossible to tell every story, and mark every event in the life of a school, so I have chosen to tell about the ones that I could document through newspaper clippings, old photographs, or other written records. I also narrowed the scope of my research to just the early years of 1927-1935, which leaves the door wide open for others who may wish to come behind and fill in the history of subsequent years.

I am indebted to the wonderful staff in the research library at the Mohave Museum of History and Art—you have all been so helpful! And, unless otherwise noted, all photographs are from the museum’s collection.

Enjoy reading—

Happy 80th Birthday, Palo Christi!

Midge Ballou Smith
August 2008