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, Part 2 details new mid-century expansions, and Part 3 discusses the many modern changes.
Post 1960 Addition
Although the 1960 addition was the last major structural change to the high school, the building would experience many changes in the upcoming years. Eventually, voters did approve the construction of the new high school, and the original school produced its last graduating class in 1965. In fall of 1965, the school would become the junior high with the completion of the new high school. The old school would still serve an important role in the community as the only public school with an auditorium, and many of the high school’s programs were still held in the 1929 auditorium.
New Shakopee High School (present-day Shakopee West Middle School), 1966. Scott County Historical Society.
Even with construction of Sweeney Elementary School in the late 1960s, the school board determined that the 1968 district enrollment of 1,776 students was expected to increase to 2,850 students by 1972, and additional space would be needed (33). With that future problem in mind, a bond election for $2.1 million was set for February 11, 1969. Of the $2.1 million, $160,000 would be used to remodel the old school, the other funds would be used to construct what is now Pearson Elementary and to provide a significant addition to the high school, including a second floor of classrooms, added industrial arts facilities, and a 600 seat auditorium (34).
Auditorium before its removal in 1969.
With the approval of the $2.1 million in funding, the school board began planning for the improvements to the old high school, now the junior high school. The improvements included the renovation of the auditorium space into an expanded gymnasium space, the remodeling of the science and home economics areas, and the replacement of the old lighting system with modern fixtures throughout the building (35). As soon as school was out in June of 1969, the remodeling was immediately underway, with the project to be completed before school was again in session that fall.
The energy crisis of the mid 1970s brought about some changes to the school in various ways. The most dramatic change was the boarding up of the large windows in the gymnasium to prevent excessive heat loss, a change to the aesthetics of the building that would last almost 30 years. With the energy improvements, electrical and mechanical systems also received updates to increase efficiency. At this time, the school district was again experiencing a shortage of space, which caused the junior high to be moved to the new high school building and the schedule to be changed to a split shift, in which the high school students would attend class in the morning and the junior high in the afternoon. During this time, the old high school building became Central Elementary School, and eventually, the crowded quarters were relieved with the opening of a new junior high school in 1976 [present-day Shakopee East Middle School].
The Central Elementary building has likely received smaller improvements throughout the 1980s and 1990s, such as the installation of an elevator in the mid 1990s, and various technological updates, but nothing structurally significant. During the summer of 2002 the building received a $1,000,000 facelift. Included in this project were the installation of insulation and stuccowork over the deteriorating glass block exterior walls of the 1950 and 1960 additions. Many windows were replaced in the structure, including all windows in the 1929 addition. Plywood and fiberglass insulation was removed from the gymnasium windows, and the old windows were replaced with high quality aluminum windows, exposing new generations to the aesthetic beauty of the 1929 addition. The classrooms located above the gymnasium were updated with new mechanical and electrical systems, as well as finishes such as false ceilings and carpet.
New windows in the 1929 addition, winter 2003.
New windows in the 1929 addition, winter 2003.
The school is currently [as of 2003] home to the school district offices and the community education programs. Early childhood programs are held in classrooms in the old elementary wing.
Addendum by Scott County Historical Society Staff
After many years of providing education, office space, and family resources in the Central School, or the Central Family Center, the building was demolished the week of September 4, 2023. SCHS has many photos, negatives, and relevant objects to the school in our collection, and most recently, have acquired three different kinds of bricks used in the construction and additions to the building.
Another item of historical significance within the walls of the building was a 1938 Works Progress Administration mural, painted by Harmon Arndt, a graduate of the Minneapolis School of Art. The mural depicts the history of Shakopee beginning in the 1840s, and appeared on the walls of the library (and later band room). The mural was saved prior to demolition and sent to the Midwest Art Conservation Center for conservation treatment. It remains in possession of the Shakopee school district.
Shakopee High School Library with the WPA mural in the background, 1950s. Scott County Historical Society.
Shakopee High School Library with the WPA mural in the background, 1950s. Scott County Historical Society.
Part 3 References
33. Shakopee Valley News, January 30, 1969, page 1.
34. Shakopee Valley News, January 30, 1969, page 2.
35. Shakopee Valley News, February 27, 1969, page 1.
Acknowledgments, as they appear in the original document
Coller II, Julius A. The Shakopee Story. Shakopee, Minnesota: Lakewood Press. 1960.
Scott County Argus, 1894, 1897.
Shakopee High School Yearbooks, 1953-1967.
Shakopee Argus-Tribune, 1929, 1930, 1948, 1949.
Shakopee Valley News, 1949, 1958, 1959, 1969.
Thank you to Mr. Bob Greeley, Shakopee Community Education Director, for providing access to the structure and the school district’s old building plans.
Thank you to Mr. John Cole, former Junior High Principal, for sharing his knowledge of historical school district information.
Thank you to the Scott County Historical Society for their well organized research facilities and access to Shakopee Argus-Tribune and Shakopee Valley News archives.
Thank you to Mrs. Edie Cook, Shakopee High School English teacher and yearbook coordinator, for the use of past SHS Yearbooks.