Landmark Building
CENTRAL PARK HIGH SCHOOL
10209-99 Street, Grande Prairie
Built in 1917
'); "Central Park High School")
The Central Park High School is the oldest public building still standing in Grande Prairie. Its simplicity reflects a trend away from extensive ornamentation in architecture following the First World War. Nevertheless, its classically derived style dominates the extensive surrounding grounds. A two storey wood framed brick veneer structure, the school has a slate roof with a crenellated paparet and a round-headed window with a prominent keystone above the main entrance. The original date and inscription stones remain, as do the large multi-paned windows.
Grande Prairie School District was organized in January 1911. The first public school built in 1912 on George Breeden\'s land was replaced three years later by a larger structure, built with a false front resembling that of a store to ensure its later resale value. On November 26, 1917, the first large brick veneer high school north of Edmonton was opened and named Montrose School. Grande Prairie High School, later renamed Central Park High School, opened in 1929. After 1950, when a new high school was built, Central Park became a junior high school until 1967, and then, for two years, served as a venue for Grande Prairie Regional College classes. It currently houses the Prairie Art Gallery.
For half a century, the simple imposing bulk of this structure provided material evidence of the growing and central importance of education in the life of Grande Prairie. Its designation as a Provincial Historic Resource acknowledges its significance as a major institution in the growth not only of Grande Prairie but also of the surrounding region.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Historical Walking and Driving Tour: Grande Prairie. Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism and the City of Grande Prairie, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.