This blog series is adapted from a paper written in 2003 by Chris Kiecker on the history of the Central School Building in Shakopee. Over the years, the building has had many names, including Union School, Shakopee High School, Central Elementary, and the Central Family Center. To read the full paper in its original format, please visit our research library. Part 1 explores the early history of the school, while Part 2 details new mid-century expansions.
The 1950 Addition
A set of plans by Long and Thorshov Architects dated November 14, 1946, indicate that the school district began the process of planning for the next major addition in this year, although this project was not fully complete until the fall of 1951. The reason for the delay in construction seems to be a result of the community’s unwillingness to fund this major project.
In February of 1948, a meeting was held in which Hubert Swanson, of Long and Thorshov Architects, presented the proposed addition to the PTA, estimated at $347,000 (15). At this point, the community had only approved $294,000 in funds in a February 1947 bond election, the legal limit at that time. The community was aware that an addition was badly needed due to the “overcrowded conditions, antiquated facilities, and the increases in enrollment.” In fact, it was printed that the school was crowded to the very limit of capacity and that classes were even being held in the lunchroom (16). The school board decided to give an invitation for formal bids, and when the bids came in high in late April, the plans were shelved for an entire year (17).
A law established by the State Legislature in 1949 allowed school boards to bond up to 50% (an increase from the previous 25%) the value of the district’s real estate and personal property, or $462,000 in Shakopee’s situation (18). Because the school district had already approved the $294,000 and saved additional funds, the board sought to increase the fund by holding a bond election for an additional $140,000. The district again acquired a new set of bids totaling $411,000 in June of 1949 and held an election on June 30, 1949. Of the 560 votes cast, 295 “no” votes were counted and the funding was refused. Because only one third of the eligible citizens voted and the margin was so close, the school board called for a second election on July 15. Unfortunately, the second election was downed by 107 votes (19).
Early construction of the new addition, March 31, 1950.
In August of 1949, the State of Minnesota released a statement in which the pre- 1929 portion of the school was described as a “fire trap,” (20) and in September, the fire marshal condemned the school calling it “one of the worst in the area (21).” Most likely out of embarrassment from the state’s comments, a committee of local civic leaders and businessmen was established for the purpose of creating support in the community for the needed school improvements. In December of 1949, the committee released a report to the community outlining the reasons additional bond money was necessary (22). Another bond election was held in January 1950, in which the $140,000 in funds was finally approved by 702 votes to 211, and in late March, work began according to the 1946 building plans (23).
Construction progress, April 14, 1950.
The plans created by Long and Thorshov called for the pre-1929 portion of the building to be demolished, and the 1929 addition of the auditorium, gymnasium and library to become the nucleus of the new school. Because school was in session in the old portion of the building, the general contractor, Kratochvil Construction Company, began by constructing the new wing along Lewis Street. This two-story wing would eventually house grades one through nine, but would be used for temporary instruction of all grades throughout the construction process. The first floor of the Lewis Street wing included six classrooms, one each for grades one through six. Lavatory space for both boys and girls was provided as well. The second floor included five classrooms primarily for the junior high, bathrooms, and the school office.
Demolition and addition construction, May 12, 1950.
Once school was out for summer vacation, a portion of the old building was demolished to make room for the new high school addition located immediately south of the gymnasium and auditorium. This three-story structure provided locker room and shower space for both boys and girls on the first floor, as well as access to the boiler room. Also new to the first floor was a dining and activity room that was included in an addition to what was previously the exterior entrance to the auditorium. Directly above the dining room, on the second floor, was space for the new library and visual aids department. The second floor would house classroom space for metal and wood shop and art and drafting instruction. The old library would become the music and band room. The business, then referred to as “commercial,” and home economics departments were located on the third floor. This area also included faculty offices and bathrooms. The five classrooms above the gymnasium were to be used, as they had been previously, for instruction of general high school subjects, such as mathematics and science. The construction of the new addition caused the start of the 1950 academic year to be moved from September to October.
Construction, November 18, 1950.
Construction, March 1, 1951.
Construction nearing completion, April 1, 1951.
Construction continued throughout the fall and winter months and concluded in the spring with completion of the industrial arts and home economics areas, the remodeling of the old library, and the final razing of the 1881 and 1907 structure. Architects made the final checks in early July of 1951, and the school officially opened in a new and modern structure for the 1951 academic year (24).
The 1960 Addition
By the end of the 1950s, the high school again became crowded and the voters approved the purchase of 17 acres in April of 1958 for $27,000 (25). Although the land was not purchased with a definite plan in mind, the school board knew the high school property allowed for very limited possibilities for future expansion. This parcel of land, referred to as the Ploumen property, is located south of Tenth Avenue, east of Fuller Street, and west of Spencer Street, and became the high school property [today, this building is known as Shakopee West Middle School]. Although a piece of land was secured, conditions expected at the school required immediate attention for the next academic year. In July, the school board made a deal to rent out classroom space from the First Presbyterian Church and the offices of Dr. Paul Nevin.26
The school board initially intended to build a 12-room elementary school on the new property, but voters rejected a proposed $425,000 for this very purpose on November 17, 1958, with a total of 584 to 220 votes. A bond issue for same amount to build the elementary school was again placed in the hands of the voters on January 15, 1959, and was once again rejected, with a total of 548 to 293 votes. The bond issue, lowered to $400,000, was rejected a third time on July 9, with a total of 593 to 386 votes (27).
Frustration prompted the formation of a 40-person advisory committee to determine what type of school improvements the community would be willing to vote in favor of. The committee determined that citizens showed interest in building a new high school instead of an elementary school on the new 17-acre property (28). A new plan was drawn up, in which a new high school would be constructed for $1,100,000, and the old high school would receive $200,000 in funds to construct an addition to the elementary wing. The old high school space would become the junior high and the elementary wing would continue to be used for the instruction of grades 1 through 6 (29). On August 6, 1959, citizens voted on the $1.3 million bond issue, and chose to reject the funds, with a total 569 to 146 votes (30).
Recognizing the decision as the last of options, the school board choose to set an election for $200,000 to add the badly needed addition to the elementary wing of the school. The board discussed the limitations of the current building, even with the added space, and also pointed out that the school would be filled to capacity within a year of completing the addition, but with all other options exhausted, the election was set for September 17 (31). Voters finally approved the bond money, 280 to 108, and school officials began planning for the addition with Armstrong and Schlicting Architects. The addition was designed to replicate the glass block theme of the 1950 addition and included three classrooms and lavatory space on each of the two floors (32). Construction was to be completed for the start of the 1960 academic year.
Complete 1960 addition (center-right of image). Scott County Historical Society.
Part 2 References
15. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, February 19, 1948, page 1.
16. Shakopee Valley News, June 30, 1949, page 1.
17. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, April 29, 1948, page 1.
18. Shakopee Valley News, April 28, 1949, page 4.
19. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, July 21 1949, page 1.
20. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, August 4, 1949, page1.
21. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, September 22, 1949, page 1.
22. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, December 22, 1949, page 1.
23. “The Shakopee Story,” Julius A. Coller II, page 411.
24. Shakopee Valley News, July 5, 1951, page 1.
25. Shakopee Valley News, April 10, 1958, page 1.
26. Shakopee Valley News, April 17, 1958, page 1.
27. Shakopee Valley News, July 16, 1959, page 1.
28. Shakopee Valley News, March 12, 1959, page 1.
29. Shakopee Valley News, August 6, 1959, page 1.
30. Shakopee Valley News, August 13, 1959, page 1.
31. Shakopee Valley News, September 10, 1959, page 1.
32. Shakopee Valley News, September 24, 1959, page 1.