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Part of Heritage E-STEM Middle School in West St. Paul dates back to the 1950s. The original Sibley High School preceded Heritage as an expanding school complex that sat in the now empty field north of Heritage.
We’ll explore the history of West St. Paul schools in a 7-part series as part of our member drive, so stay tuned for more.
The Schools
By the 1950s, what was Sibley Junior High became a sprawling complex known as Sibley Senior High School. It would expand to Frances M. Grass Junior High before moving to Mendota Heights and becoming Henry Sibley High School. The complex would remain for a while, with part of it continuing on as part of Heritage Middle School.
Sibley High School
The school district decided to make this centrally located site a major educational center, expanding Sibley Junior High from Bernard Street all the way south to Butler Avenue.
- Opening: Sibley High School opened in September of 1952 with 233 students, becoming the city’s first senior high school.
- Dedication: 1,500 people attended the formal dedication of Sibley High School in February 1954.
- Size: Throughout the history of Sibley and Grass, multiple people have commented about the size of the complex and the challenge of getting to class on time: “There was no way to get to class if you didn’t run,” said John Ramsay, class of 1968.
“I had a class in the old north end and had to make it to a class at the south end through crowded hallways. I wonder how many miles I walked in three years.”
Tim Gerenz, class of 1964
(Photo credit: Dakota County Historical Society & various Sibley High School yearbooks).
“I am very proud to have had a part in the development of the new Sibley school. There is every evidence that both students and faculty are anxious to work for the good of our senior high school, and that is an excellent omen for the future.”
Superintendent Herb Garlough in a student interview
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(Photo credit: Dakota County Historical Society).
Smokestack: Sibley’s smokestack towered above the rest of the building and neighborhood. Newspapers at the time speculated that it might be the highest school chimney in the area.
- Height: 105 feet
- Diameter: 10 feet, 4.5 inches at the base, tapering to 5 feet, 6 inches at the top.
Naming Sibley High School
While Sibley High School was the presumed name, the school board did solicit name suggestions in 1951. Apparently no one suggested anything better, but some students still didn’t like the name. Gerald Norsby, president of the class of 1954, led a group of students to confront the principal and then superintendent: “One thing I and a few of my classmates didn’t like was the name Sibley High School. We thought it would make more sense to be called West St. Paul High School,” Norsby reflected in 2008. The principal directed them to Superintendent Herb Garlough. “So we marched into the superintendent’s office (located right down the hall) and made our pitch. His response was that such a move would not be appropriate as there were numerous students from communities other than West St. Paul. Of course, he was right.”
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Post Henry Sibley
After the high school moved to Mendota Heights, the building continued to be used by the district. It housed the district offices and later became known as the West St. Paul Area Community Center, home to senior services (that would eventually become the Thompson Park Activity Center) and an early learning center at various times. Starting in 1988, the Minnesota Waldorf School used the building for a time.
More to Come
Stay tuned for the next part in our seven-part series on the history of Sibley schools:
- Part 1: Overview
- Part 2: Sibley Junior High
- Part 3: Sibley High School
- Part 4: Grass Junior High School
- Part 5: Henry Sibley High School
- Part 6: Heritage Middle School
- Part 7: Demolition and What Remains
Researching West St. Paul history happens thanks to the generous support of our members. Join them and support local news.
Interesting to read about old memories. 1962 graduate.