Central School History: 1899-2000

By 1899, Clear Lake students had already outgrown three schools. A new schoolhouse for all Clear Lake students was built on the land which is now called the Central School site. This is the site upon which Central Gardens of North Iowa will flourish. That building was destroyed by fired on January 6, 1911, so students attended classes in local church basements until their new school was ready.

Construction on the school that later would be known as Central School, began in 1912. It was dedicated in April 1914. This building housed all grades. It was exclusively used for junior high and high school students after Lincoln School was built in 1926 for elementary students. By 1936, the students had outgrown the building at the Central site and a second building was built on the southern edge of the site for the Junior High students.

After the present Clear Lake High School was built in the early 1960s, Central became the building for the upper elementary grades. It continued in this capacity until September 1998 when it was replaced by the new Clear Creek Elementary School. The old building was razed in 2000.

Photo Page

Historical Tidbits about Clear Lake