Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Central School

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

1. Central School Marker

Inscription.
This property has been
Placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.

Location. 47° 14.188′ N, 93° 31.735′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in Itasca County. It can be reached from North Pokegama Avenue north of Northwest 4th Street (U.S. 2), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 NW 5th Street, Grand Rapids MN 55744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

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In Honor of the Family of Wendy Brier Green (within shouting distance of this marker); Itasca County All Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Minnesota Territory 1849-1858 / Itasca County Takes Shape (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away).

More about this marker. National Register Plaques have been placed at both the east and west entrances of the building. The building is referred to as the Old Central School and houses various shops, galleries and other services.

Regarding Central School. Excerpts from the Central School Nomination Form:

The present Old Central School building is situated on a 300-foot square block in the central business district of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This block was donated to the city for the purpose of constructing an educational facility in 1888; a two storey frame building existed on the site until 1895 when construction began on the present structure.

The Central School building is approximately seventy-five feet square and is two storeys in height with basement and attic. It is constructed primarily of buff-colored brick on a fieldstone

Central School Marker to the left of the east entrance to the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

2. Central School Marker to the left of the east entrance to the building

foundation. A reddish sandstone is used for trim in quoins, window sills, strapwork and column capitals. Pressed metal is used for gable decorations, chimney caps, decorative finials and name plate. The architectural design is essentially Richardsonian Romanesque as is evidenced by the semicircular arches over window and door openings and the general
massiveness of scale.

The south elevation of the building was originally capped with an arcaded bell-
tower with pyramidal roof. This tower was removed prior to 1931; the slate-shingle covered base of the tower exists and now serves as the anchor plate for an airplane shaped weathervane purchased by the elementary students in 1931. With this exception, the exterior of the building has retained its 1895 design integrity...

The construction of Central School in 1895 provided the people of the Grand Rapids area elementary and secondary educational facilities which served the community for 77 years. Until the development of modern college entrance examinations, the quality of the educational curriculum at Central School ensured its standing as a member of the North Central Association of

Another National Register marker set to the left of the West entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

3. Another National Register marker set to the left of the West entrance

Secondary School (which allowed a student to enter any university or college in the North Central States without examination.)

This was one of the first high schools in the northern territory of Minnesota outside of Duluth. It also contained the first library in the Grand Rapids area.

Also see . . . Central School Nomination Form (pdf). Form prepared by Charles W. Nelson, Architectural Historian and Susan Zelk, Research Associate, Minnesota Historic Society, 1976 (Submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Old Central School East side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

4. Old Central School East side

Old Central School South view. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

5. Old Central School South view.

Note the airplane weather vane at atop the roof. The weather vane was purchased by the elementary school students in 1931.

SE view of Central School. Note the yellow brick road, in honor of Grand Rapids native Judy Garland image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

6. SE view of Central School. Note the yellow brick road, in honor of Grand Rapids native Judy Garland

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.