Lyons in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lyons High School

1880-1967

November 27, 2023

1. Lyons High School Marker, Side One

Inscription. The first school in Lyons was built in 1879-80 as a one room building with an entrance. The school was furnished with homemade desks and a blackboard painted on a wall. Construction of a new masonry building started around 1920-21. Because the old building had to be moved out of the way for the new school, classes were temporarily held in downtown businesses. The move to the new school was completed in December of 1922. For the first time, all 12 grades were taught under the same roof. In 1936 a stage and a six-foot addition were added to the gym where the pep band and cheering section sat during basketball games. Fans sat on benches along the sides of the gym, on the hallway above the court and on the stairway steps. In 1937 the two-year high school in Crooks closed and Lyons added their students as well as eighth grade graduates from numerous rural schools. In 1945 the bonds to finance the school were retired, allowing remodeling projects to be accomplished. In 1960 a stand-alone gym with a regulation basketball court, bleacher seating, bathrooms, locker rooms and stage was built. A later addition provided space for the

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hot lunch program, wrestling, volleyball, music room and drama rehearsals.

A special election on May 26, 1966 created the Tri-Valley Independent School District 153. In 1967 Crooks, Lyons, Colton and surrounding common school districts came together. School was held at all three sites until October 1968 when volunteers moved everything to the new school between Colton and Lyons. Upon completion of the move all formal education was held at one site for the first time. The school property located to the northeast of the intersection of 1st Avenue and 2nd Street was then sold and reverted to private ownership. The first class in 1923 had just 2 graduates while the last class in 1967 had 26 graduates. A total of 751 students over 45 years graduated from Lyons High. The sports teams, musicals, band performances, drama productions, bus rides, education and lifelong friendships were much more than the buildings. Lives were shaped by dedicated teachers, committed staff, involved families, and enthusiastic students.

Erected 2022 by the Minnehaha County Historical Society and Lyons alumni with text from Joan Eitrheim, Class of 1949.

Topics.

Lyons High School Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

November 27, 2023

2. Lyons High School Marker, Side Two

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 43° 43.35′ N, 96° 52.088′ W. Marker is in Lyons, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is on 1st Avenue north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 1st Ave, Lyons SD 57041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and in Greater Sioux Falls.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: To God Be The Glory! (approx. 4.1 miles away); Old Nidaros Church Replica (approx. 4.1 miles away); Old Nidaros Replica Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); Oyen-Person Log Cabin (approx. 4.1 miles away); Peter Byg, Prairie Fire Victim

Lyons High School Marker image. Click for full size.

November 27, 2023

3. Lyons High School Marker

(approx. 4.4 miles away); Benton Lutheran Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); South Dakota Central (approx. 5.4 miles away); Colton Public Schools (approx. 5.4 miles away).

Lyons High School Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

November 27, 2023

4. Lyons High School Marker, from the west

Lyons High School Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

November 27, 2023

5. Lyons High School Marker, from the south

Lyons High School image. Click for full size.

November 27, 2023

6. Lyons High School

Located on the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue & 2nd Street in Lyons.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2023. This page has been viewed 1,690 times since then and 245 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2023.