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Built in 1893, and used as a school until 1961, this historical sandstone building is located on the hill between upper and lower town. The original building plans were drawn by William Gray of Lincoln, Nebraska, with the construction contact won by the lowest bidder, A. D. McKay for $23,550.00.

Using stone from the Burke quarry, the teamsters unloaded rock from railroad cars and
hauled it up the steep hill, finding it "a hard pull!"

Noted in the Hot Springs Star on June 25, 1893: "Contractor McKay has decided not to use the steam hoisting machine on the new school as it is too expensive. He is having the stone carried up by hand on litter bearers. He will find it slow work and more expensive in the end in the opinion of the Star" (the local newspaper). By August the Hot Springs Star reported that "It will only take 5 more cars of stone to finish the schoolhouse and Dr. Hargens, president of the school board, informs us there is sufficient money to complete the new school under the present contact".

In 1893, the school board fixed the salaries as follows: school principal at $1,200.00 per year, one teacher at $75.00 per month, one at $55.00 per month, and four at $50.00. By January 8, 1894, Hot Springs celebrated the dedication of the new school. In 12 years its school had progressed from a small log house with a volunteer teacher to a beautiful three-story Burke quarry sandstone building with seven teachers and 264 students.

1910...Hot Springs' first football team!
The school district's (#10) emblem and seal were designed by noted sculptor, James A. Frazier, who is most famous for his "End of the Trail" sculpture and who drew the buffalo for the buffalo nickel.