About 1875 North High School was created in the minds of the more far-seeing residents of the district as they looked over the scattered homes sheltered by the great oak trees. Previous to this time, high school pupils living on the Northside were compelled to attend Central High. This, of course, meant a journey of many miles, mostly on foot, as the horse car service on Washington Avenue was poor. These broad minded citizens looked into the future, and so was conceived a dream which centered around their half-grown children.
Their dream was the building of a high school, and the influential men of the community convinced the Board of Education of the necessity of such a school. By the end of 1888, North High had became a reality. It was built on Emerson Avenue between 18th and 19th Avenues North. North opened its doors on January 1, 1889, to about 800 grade school pupils, thirty-five high school students, and three teachers, took over the new building.
The third floor, was devoted to high school purposes. Teachers and pupils alike worked earnestly to improve their school. In 1891 the first class was graduated. It was a proud moment for Mr. Greer, the first principal as he granted diplomas to the “sweet sixteen” of that graduating class. The members of that class had completed three different courses: five were graduates of the Latin course, seven of Literature and four of English.
The following year a new principal came to North as Mr. Greer went to Central, Mr Hobbs, the new school head, gave 42 years of his life to the service of our community.
