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National Register of Historic Places Program

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

 

Great Falls High School Historic District
Great Falls, Montana
NR Reference Number: 13000097
Listed: 03/20/2013



 Location:

1900 Second Avenue South, Great Falls, MT

Summary:

The Great Falls High School Historic District defines a distinct chapter in the development of Great Falls and Central Montana. While not the first high school in the city, its conception and construction reflects the beginning of the golden years in the development of the city resulting its desirable location and increase population.

The Great Falls High School Historic District is a pragmatic symbol of the growth of the city. The Great Falls High School Historic District is eligible for listing at a local level in the National Register under criteria A and C. Under Criterion A, the construction of the school continued the previous community service to education. Its construction was a testament to the value of a new educational model that incorporated traditional learning environments with specialized instructional areas for science, industrial arts, creative arts and formalized athletics. Its role in the educational development of the city, its direct connection to significant figures and its display of current architectural evolution all contribute to its significance under Criterion A.

The Great Falls High School Historic District is also significant under Criterion C as the school itself reflects the Late Collegiate Goth ic Revival styl e of the p eriod 1910 to 1940 and is the only example of Late Collegiate Gothic Revival in the city. The school dis pl ays defining a rch itec tu ra l elemen ts of the style including crenelated parapets, Gothic arch window and door o pe ning s, tracery w indows and tower. Th e brick work incorporates five different bond patterns and the extensive use of cut sandstone details produced a structure of un ma tched matched beauty and utility.

 

Link to full file: Great Falls High School Historic District