History of Central Lyon Community School
The first school in Rock Rapids was built in the late 1870's. In 1897, a high school was built at the intersection 5th Avenue and Carroll Street (now known as Old School Park). When a new high school was built, the building was used as a grade school and was demolished in approximately 1970.
In July 1922, Spencer Construction was awarded a contract of $134,108 to build Wilson High School at 7th Avenue and Story Street. The original architect was HugHill & Blathrwick of Sioux Falls, SD, and the building was 199' long and 61' wide. Wilson High School was dedicated to Mr. Wynant S. Wilson, a school superintendent. Wilson was also the name of the president at the time. The first class ever to graduate from Wilson High School was in 1924. This class consisted of 17 individuals. In 1956, an 80' x 62' addition was added to the building to be used as a gymnasium. Ninety years later in 2002, Central Lyon was awarded an Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant in the amount of $623,711 which, along with local matching funds, was used to remove a significant part of the Wilson High School building. Handicap accessible restrooms and locker rooms were added to support the remaining structure - the gymnasium, fitness center, and weight room. The estimated cost of the total project was $1,517,920.
In 1959, the Rock Rapids Independent School District became the Central Lyon Community School District as a result of a merger with the Doon Public School. In the early 1960's, seven country school buildings were moved from their rural homes and placed on a 232 x 212 lot on the east side of Rock Rapids. They were painted different colors to make it easier for the students to remember where they belong. These buildings were officially referred to as East Elementary Center. The elementary and middle school classes moved into the current elementary building located at 1105 S. Story Street in January 1968.
A new high school was built onto the elementary/middle school building. The class of 1999 was the first class to graduate from the current high school building located at 1010 S. Greene Street. Additions of a weight room/wrestling facility and vestibules for the main entrances of the new high school were built in 2015.