Craig Daily Press

Centennial

Information about Craig's Centennial

Craig — In any growing town, the children hold utmost importance. One of the first organizations in Moffat County was a school district. Residents were willing to dig into their pockets to ensure that their children would receive a quality education.

With that thought in mind, Moffat County voters of the late 1940s approved the construction of a much-needed high school. In 1946, they originally were presented with a $415,000 bond issue that would have included a swimming pool and cafeteria as well as landscaping and other amenities, but they didn’t agree with the plan.

In a move similar to the one made by the 2007 school board 50 years later, planners went back to the drawing board to come up with a more modest proposal. The voters approved a $350,000 bond in July 1946, and construction began the following year.

The community knew that they had to stick to their budget — no overages would be permitted.

During the time between the approval of the building and the beginning of construction, materials jumped 20 percent in price. Realizing that function was primary and aesthetics secondary, building committee members were prepared to leave the interior of the auditorium and band room unfinished, if necessary to stay on budget. Air conditioning, a second boiler, second floor lockers and some chalkboards fell under the economic knife as did individual classroom thermostats. They knew that these things and other improvements could be made at a later date as funds permitted.

“Originally scheduled to have accommodations for 400 students, the new Moffat County High School, under the revised plans, will have room for only 250 students, which, it is believed, will be sufficient for the time being. … The committee is bending every effort to get as much for the taxpayers’ money as is possible under the circumstances.” (Empire-Courier July 2, 1947)

Work began on the plot of ground at Ninth and Yampa in July 1947. The city donated the land and contractors from Grand Junction and Denver worked efficiently to have the building ready for use in the fall of 1948.

The graduating class of 1949 was the first to finish their education in the new high school. The dedication page of their yearbook described their feelings about the new building;

“We, the ’49ers, dedicate this book, symbol of our efforts, to the new high school and to all those who have helped make a beautiful dream a reality. May the future classes profit to the fullest by the golden opportunity we can foresee in this new setting.” (Craig High School Yearbook 1949)

The summer of 1951 brought more prosperity to the county, and the building received fresh floor paint as well as new desks, typing tables and landscaping. The football team turned out in new uniforms.

“Although the school was not in poor shape at the close of school, the building has had necessary repairs made in addition to improvements of the grounds and equipment.

“The stage has been refinished and the gymnasium floor cleaned and varnished with a large blue MC painted in the center circle of the floor.” (Craig Empire-Courier August 22, 1951)

By 1956, the high school committee was investigating the possibility of expanding the school. They went to the voters again, seeking approximately $150,000 to expand the gym and add classrooms. A year later, the committee reached the point of receiving proposals from architects.

Dedication of the addition took place in January 1959 and voters were invited to an open house to see the 10 new classrooms, band room and enlarged gymnasium that they had approved. The 15,300 square foot wing was completed for $167,120.78 — or $10.60 per square foot.

A junior high school building was added to the 18 acre campus in 1964. High school students moved into their new building on the opposite side of Craig in 1981 and in 1996, the junior high — now known as Craig Middle School — was divided to make Craig Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students.

Fifty years later, we are seeing most of that building taken down to make way for a new middle school to serve the needs of a new generation of Moffat County youth.

A small part of the original structure will be incorporated into the new design. Over the years, poodle skirts, button down shirts and pressed slacks have given way to T-shirts and baggie jeans, but the core principles of education have remained constant.

The halls and floors that echoed with half a century of Craig’s youth will be gone, but the memories made in them will continue on as the town continues to grow and change.

Shannan Koucherik can be reached at honeyrockdogs@msn.com.