History at a Glance

In 1909, H. Enzo Loop, age 28, somewhat reluctantly traveled by steamship from Tacoma to Shelton at the recommendation of his mentor, Mr. Layhue, the deputy state superintendent of schools, to be interviewed for the position of superintendent of Shelton Schools. Loop had a Teacher's Elementary School certificate, after studying for a year at Whatcom Normal School, and had taught for one year at Eastsound School in San Juan County.

In the waters near Olympia, Loop transferred to the boat going on to Shelton by walking a plank from one boat to the other. "Eli Robinson met me at the Shelton Hotel and walked me to Mrs. Mark Reed's home where the school board was meeting. I could see that they had no idea of schoolwork. I could also see that Mr. Robinson and Mr. Eaton were mere figureheads and that Mrs. Reed was the board. I was somewhat discouraged at this stage of the game. I had walked up from the dock through mud and passed by four saloons. So I tried to stall the board by suggesting I go back home so they could discuss me without my presence. But no dice. Mrs. Reed insisted that Mr. Robinson, the clerk, make out the contracts and sign them at once. This was done. So now I am on the spot.

"At that time, the Shelton school was teaching some high school subjects but did not have a recognized high school, so my first duty was to get the high school accredited. Mr. Layhue said he would see to that. He also insisted that I attend summer session at the University of Washington to take a laboratory course in physics, as I was to teach physics in addition to all mathematics at Shelton." At the end of his summer course at the university, Loop went to Shelton to get the school ready, with the help of school janitor Edgar Fredson. They cleaned, rearranged rooms and built laboratory tables.

Loop had married fellow teacher Bessie Boyer in 1907, and when he accepted the job at Shelton she stayed in Puyallup with her mother to await the birth of their first child. On Oct. 22, 1909, the Journal announced that "Prof. Loop of the city schools is rejoicing in the arrival of Mrs. Loop and the new baby boy." (Enzo Loop had less than two years of teacher's training, and it is unknown why he became known as 'Professor' Loop in Shelton.)

Professor Loop served Shelton schools for the next 35 years. His duties included teaching, coaching football, basketball and baseball, and chaperoning the girls' basketball team on trips to other schools. "When he was athletic coach as well as superintendent, his teams were featured by their fighting spirit. And his interest didn't lag when he turned the coaching reins over to younger men." (Sunday Olympian, April 1944)

In the early years, when there had been three or four days of freezing weather, Loop would appoint a committee to go out to Goose Lake and measure the ice to see whether it was thick enough to support skaters. If it was, he would declare a school holiday, and practically the whole town would show up for fun on the ice. One day in September 1914, he drove a county car filled with high school boys to the Dayton area to help fight a forest fire. When school busing was initiated in 1916, Loop was one of the two bus drivers. When a fire partially burned the Shelton Junior High School in 1944, "Professor Loop was able to save the records of past and present students so that school files are still complete. In fact, Professor Loop spent quite a hazardous evening, being trapped for a while on the roof of the porch over the main entrance and being knocked down when the ceiling fell on the lower floor." (Journal, May 11, 1944)

In 1927, Loop was in New York City when Charles Lindbergh returned, aboard the USS Memphis, from his history-making flight to Paris. Marine aviator Woody Sanderson, Loop's former student and star Shelton athlete, was assigned to fly over the welcoming flotilla, and he took Loop with him. "I just clung on with both hands for dear life. Lindbergh may have been uppermind in the thoughts of all New York, but not in mine. I just held my breath and yearned for the chance to set foot on the ground again."

When the old fairground building at the west end of Franklin Street burned in 1927, it was decided to expand the ball grounds on the site into a first-class playing field in time for the first football game of 1929. Professor Loop supervised the work, which included building new bleachers and a field house. During dedication ceremonies prior to the game, master of ceremonies E. H. Faubert announced, to Loop's complete surprise, that the site was "to be known hereafter as Loop Field," which it still is today.

Professor Loop resigned from his position in April 1944. At a special meeting in May, the Shelton Chamber of Commerce presented him with a "fine gold wristwatch, suitably engraved in recognition of his service to the community, its schools, and education in general." Both he and Bessie went on to teach at Mary M. Knight School for three years before retiring and moving to Bellingham and later to Port Orchard.

Enzo and Bessie had four sons. In 1972, their son Herbert hosted a celebration of their 65th wedding anniversary. Enzo was 90, Bessie 91. Enzo died two years later and Bessie died in 1982, age 100.

■ Jan Parker is a researcher for the Mason County Historical Museum. She can be reached at [email protected]. Membership in the Mason County Historical Society is $25 per year. For a limited time, new members will receive a free copy of the book "Shelton, the First Century Plus Ten."