CS Lewis Gym

Sarah passes along another school photo, this one of the CS Lewis’ adopted gymnasium in Newberg. The Watchmen play at Edwards Elementary in Newberg in a small but very interesting looking gymnasium.

It’s hard to tell how much seating is available though it is clear there is only seating on one side. The floor itself is a nice size in terms of length and width if a little busy with all the lines. The endlines appear to be very near the out of bounds line meaning there is potential for disaster for the tall firs battling in the low post or on fastbreaks.

To see the photo, click the “Read More” link.


I solicited the staff at Edwards Elementary for some background information of the Edwards Gymnasium and as is usually the case, the back-story is extremely interesting.

Edwards Elementary was built in 1910 but at the time was actually Newberg High School. The school was on the top floor while the basement housed the gym. Newberg high school moved away from Edwards Elementary to a separate building sometime in the 30’s or 40’s.

Edwards then housed K-8 and in 1957 the new gym was built and has been more or less in use ever since.

Edwards school went through an upgrade in 1990 after an earthquake damaged the building and now houses the Newberg School District Offices.

But the gymnasium is the adopted home of the CS Lewis Watchmen of the Casco League.
CS Lewis high school was founded as CS Lewis Community School in 1985 and became CS Lewis Academy in 2002. Last year was the first year CS Lewis appeared in the state tournament after capturing its first ever Casco District championship. The Watchmen lost a home substate game to Columbia Christian that was played at St. Paul high school as opposed to Edwards Elementary.

I know the OSAA has rules on sites for playoff games but I can't help but wonder if this small, dimly lit building would have been a tougher environment for a state playoff game.

The Edwards Elementary gymnasium is an intriguing building, very similar to other gyms built in that era. The curved roof provides the tube-like feel that is common to many gyms built in the 50’s and 60’s. The roof provides the interesting architecture and character to the building, and slightly resembles the pointed slope of the Mitchell Gymnasium.

The gym appears to be extremely dark though I know photographing in any gym is difficult. It appears there are three rows of four light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, including a row at the ceilings’ highest point. It could be deceiving but it looks really dark.

For those of you unsure of where Newberg is located, see the map below. It is located in Yamhill County about 25 miles southwest of Portland along highway 99.


Thanks to Sarah for the photo and the staff and retired personnel at Edwards Elementary for the information and historical research on the Edwards Elementary school and gymnasium!

All names and information has been used with permission.