Central High School (Fargo, North Dakota)

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Central High School, of Fargo, North Dakota, was the first public high school in Fargo.

Central High School served grades 9-12, while Central School served K-8. CHS was built originally in the early 1800s, but became "finalized" and had was moved to 2nd Ave South in 1921, however the new CHS didn't last long. On the afternoon of April 19, 1966, a teacher holding a study hall with 51 students in the theater heard crackling, and popping- the upper story of the school had started on fire. Students were alarmed to know that the evacuation was not a drill, when Dr. Otto Rupert Lupas, announced over the Public Address System that the school was in fact, on fire. After 4 hours of taming the flames, fire fighters went in to inspect the school. It is recorded that the school faced $1 million in damage, however no students or teachers were injured. Several off-duty teachers managed to save the 12 file cabinets containing permanent records, and the students continued the school year at North High School and other locations within the city.

In the summer of 1966, the Fargo Public School Board granted and approved the beginning construction for what is now Fargo South High School. Today, the only thing that FCH is remembered by is the Cass County Annex, located on 2nd Ave. The Annex serves as part of the court system, however it lies on the grounds which were once Central High School. The "CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL" wooden sign still stands in the lot, and there are several tree's planted in memory from Central graduates.