Gallatin County High School
The eastern portion of the Gallatin County High School building is historically significant as the only remaining school in Bozeman that dates from before the Great Depression, when WPA funding was used to replace, or, in this case, add on to, the several school buildings that had been built around the turn of the century or earlier. Despite the enclosure of most windows with insulating material and removal (or covering) of the original sash, the building is nevertheless an architectural monument of major importance in the city.
Romanesque style elements were combined with a classical building form - a main block with flanking pedimented pavilions - for an impressive effect. The building was erected in 1902 after passage of the "County Free High School" measure, which provided for free high school level education throughout Gallatin County. It is therefore of regional significance.
In 1936-7, a major addition that doubled the size of the Gallatin County High School building was built using WPA funding. This High School addition was one of the four, federally financed public schools building projects undertaken in Bozeman during the Great Depression. The presence of Zales Ecton, a U.S. Senator from Bozeman in the 1930's, may have influenced the considerable flow of money to the city. Another influence may have been a powerful group of Bozeman businessmen which had formed to promote the city's interests. Prominent names such as Graff, Kenyon, and Chambers dominated the group.
From the NRHP Continuation Sheet