The Rich History Of North Dakota’s Oldest Public High School

Have you ever wondered what is the oldest public high school in the state?

North Dakota was admitted into the union back on November 2nd, 1889, along with South Dakota as the 39th and 40th state in America.  That was a long time ago.

However, one high school in North Dakota was operating even before North Dakota officially became a state.

According to Wikipedia, Grand Forks Central High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota was built all the way back in 1882 (a year before Tim McGraw & Faith Hill playing the Dutton's in "1883" began their journey to Montana).  I was addicted to that show this past summer.

The First graduating class for Grand Forks Central was 4 years later in 1886.  A total of 3 students graduated.  All three of the graduating seniors were women.  They included Emma Oldham and Mary Parsons.  The 3rd person's name is not known.

Grand Forks Central's building was built back in 1882 at a cost of $26,000.

I'm sure that was a pretty penny way back then.  Even today, Grand Forks Central is the oldest public high school still operating in North Dakota.  They are known as the "Knights" today, but the school also had a couple of controversial nicknames over the years including the "Maroons" and "Redskins".

Grand Forks Central officially adopted the "Knights" nickname back in 1994.

Some famous alumni over the years include NFL quarterback Brooks Bollinger who played for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and The Dallas Cowboys.  He attended Wisconsin University and played college football for the Badgers.  Brooks also led Grand Forks Central to a North Dakota State Football title during his time at Central.

Other notable alumni include Olympic hurdler and pilot, Cliff Cushman, Glenn Hansen professional basketball player who played for the Kansas City Kings and the Chicago Bulls, and Lute Olson a Hall of Fame Collegiate basketball coach.

Grand Forks Central is also well known for its high school hockey program, which has won more state titles than any other school in North Dakota.

My son attended Grand Forks Central for one year as a freshman before our move to Bismarck.  He played football and baseball for the Knights.

My son would later get a chance to play against his old high school in hockey at the North Dakota State hockey tournament.

That didn't go too well for the Bismarck High Demons.