History of the School

Lake City's first private school was organized in 1875 by Prof. T.H. Cannon, who taught a class of 40 students "all branches of English" for $3 a month.  For an additional $2 a month, Prof. Cannon taught bookkeeping, business instruction and mining law.

Hinsdale County School District No. 1 was formed in January of 1876 and enrolled 28 students in the county's first public school, one of the earliest schools on Colorado's Western Slope.

In 1880 voters approved a $12,500 bond issue to construct a "commodious two story building to be built either of brick or stone."  Classes were held in the brick school from 1880 until 1949.

In 1949 the second story was removed and the school was remodeled.  Classes continued in the building until  it was demolished in 1987 to make room for the center structure of the present school.

The central portion of today's school was constructed in 1987.  The design mirrors the rich architectural history of the area.  The cupola dates to 1884 and was originally part of the Hiram C. Kelly estate in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Included in the structure are three elementary classrooms, library, administrative offices and a large commons area.

In 2001, taxpayers approved a 1.5 million dollar bond issue which added a middle and high school wing with classrooms for math, science, history and language arts and a wing containing an arts room and classroom for pre-Kindergarten classes.  The 1987 core building was remodeled for better administrative spaces and increased functionality.

Credits:  Lake City Silver World Newspaper, Grant Houston, Editor; Paul Chastain, Wallace collection; Laurie Vierheller; Staff.