This beautiful school was built in response to the overcrowding in "The Green Prison." The district was rapidly growing and by 1913, it was was evident that something needed to be done. It was decided that they should not add anymore to the current school. It was built in 1854 and had already been added onto 3 times. Thus the building was condemned and plans for a new building were drawn up. Because of World War I, the project did not take off right away. Also, they decided to build the new school on the same site as the current one so it had to be done in stages. The old school, commonly referred to as "The Old Green Prison" by students, was torn down in 1917. Students meanwhile attended classes in a building a couple blocks down the street.
The new school opened in 1920. The first class to graduate from there was the Class of 1920, though the building was not completely finished at that time. They held the ceremony in the school's auditorium. Also included in the ceremony was the dedication of the new building. By the fall, though, it was ready for the students to begin the school year. The total cost to build this great structure was $110,000. It housed 486 when it officially opened in the fall of 1920.
In 1922, the two side wings were extended adding a total of 8 more rooms. Music and Art was also added to the curriculum this year as the school district wanted to further diversify the student's studies.
In 1932, overcrowding became a problem in this practically new school. The district decided to rent some space in an old bowling alley to ease the problem. Clearly, the growth of the district was not over and it would only get worse.
On May 11, 1936, the school district became centralized. The district was now known as Whitesboro Central School District. This was when they became planning another new high school. The corner stone was laid in 1936 for a Georgian style high school to be built along the former Erie Canal (this was around the same time the canal was being filled in to make Oriskany Blvd.).
The new high school , proudly engraved "Whitesboro Central High School", opened in 1938. At this time, the current high school was made into an elementary school for grades K-6. It continued as this function until 1978 when the last 6th grade class graduated. The school closed and was eventually sold and turned into apartments. It still stands today, 82 years later, and looks pretty much the same as it did when it was built. It still houses apartments and appears to be a permanent fixture in the village of Whitesboro.
© 2002
