Duluth Central High School - Duluth, MN
Posted by: 
FSU*Noles
N 46° 47.340 W 092° 06.000
15T E 568691 N 5182110
This is Duluth Central High School in Duluth, MN - listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Building #72001488.
Waymark Code: WM4EG0
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 08/12/2008
Views: 99
For one hundred years Central High School has been a symbol of pride for both the citizens of Duluth and the students who attended the school. Built in 1892 according to the plans of the architects Palmer and Hall, Duluth Central was considered "The Finest High School in the World." Built because of inadequate space in the old Washington Building, Central was famed not only for its grand clock tower, which could be seen for miles, but also for its wide halls, sweeping stairways with iron banisters, large chandeliers, and beautiful statuary.
Most of these objects were removed in the 1920's to make room for more students and further modernization. In 1923 classrooms replaced the central stairwell; in 1925 a cafeteria was added; in 1926 a north wing was added with greater gymnasium facilities; and finally, 1927 saw the building of East Junior High to take the pressure off of the other two schools. In 1939 the wood floors were replaced by concrete ones and built-in lockers were added. The first graduating class of 1894 numbered only thirty-two students. It was this class that put out the first yearbook and called it the "Tiger." The next year the name was changed to the "Zenith" and it has remained so to this day.
The first school paper was called the "Junior Record" and was published by the juniors in 1894. It was the forerunner of the "Spectator" which came out in 1922-23. Central High School remained pretty quiet for the next fifty years, until 1970. It was then that due to age and safety conditions the Duluth School Board decided it would have to build a new school to replace Central. They brought forth two bond issues, the second one was accepted and building was begun. In 1971 Duluth had a new school on top of the hill, but this building with it's signature clock tower and smokestack remains one of Duluth's most famous landmarks.
Source: modified from DCHS website
Street address:
Lake Ave. and 2nd St.
Duluth, MN USA
55811
County / Borough / Parish: St. Louis
Year listed: 1972
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Education, School
Current function: Education
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.