A black and white postcard of the Loretto School. The caption at the bottom reads “Bisbee, Arizona; Will accommodate 40 borders and 300-day scholars.” The postcard is unused, and the publisher is unknown. Bob Wright Collection.

The Loretto School or the Loretto Academy opened in October of 1907. They were finishing up construction on their schoolhouse while accepting students on October 3rd. The lodging part for the boarding students had not yet been completed. When they first opened, they expected anywhere in the range of 150 to 200 pupils to attend. It was named Loretto for the Loretto nuns who ran it. William Brophy and his wife Ellen Brophy donated to the nuns; their contributions helped to build a school in Douglas. The Loretto School was transferred over to St Patrick Catholic church and was renamed the Saint Patrick’s Parish School. The Sisters of Loretto left Bisbee in 1948.

1989.35.15