In 1884, City of Madison purchased a private girls academy on the corner of Wisconsin and Johnson Street and was known as Madison Central High School.
Then the newspapers almost always had something about the school (like sports or any school events. Usually ending up on the front page.
In 1908, Madison Central High School was rebuilt at the same spot. Between 1910 and 1920, Madison's population doubled. Central High School became overcrowded. The Board of Education held a meeting to have alternative buildings for the school to use.
Finally on September 25, 1920 Professor E.B. Skinner declared that $600,000 was needed for a school building program. He said, "The most pressing need is for a new high school in the east end and one in the west end sites which could cost $100,000. The east site should be located east of the Yahara River."
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