North America/United States of America/Arkansas/Fort Smith/Northside High School/

Northside High School

• Address: 2301 North B Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States of America 72901
• Phone:
  • (479) 783-1171
  • (479) 784-8144 (fax)
• Website: [1]
• Overview

On November 19, 1928, Fort Smith High School moved into a new building on 23rd and B Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The population of Fort Smith at the time was 31,400. The new building was dedicated on February 15, 1929, just before the mid-term class graduation could take place. The first year, 848 students enrolled in the high school (it could accommodate 3,000 students). With the new large building, many local organizations, as well as nationally known groups and individuals used the 1,060-seat auditorium for performances and other types of events. Since it was built, the auditorium has been visited by such famous people as Helen Olheim, opera singer with the Metropolitan Opera (1937–1938); Carl Sandburg, poet, biographer and entertainer (1939–1940); Margaret Bourke-White, war correspondent, photographer, author (1943–44); Nancy Gean , FSHS graduate and fashion analyst for Butterick (1947–1948); Nelson Bennett, world famous model for painters and sculptors (1965–1966); and Shawntel Smith, Miss America (1995–1996).

In 1934, the Fort Smith High School yearbook, Sounder, changed its name to Bruin. During its formative years, the senior class of 1937 hired Harry Alford of Chicago to write the Fort Smith High School Alma Mater, which has remained the same until today for now Northside High School.

In 1956, the school built an annex. The following year, enrollment for students was up to 1,738, which made Fort Smith High School the largest high school in the state of Arkansas. During the school year of 1960-1961, the Farnsworth Rose Garden was completed on the campus. Fort Smith High School was officially renamed Northside High School in the year 1963. Shortly thereafter, the Field House was opened and a marquee was installed in front of the campus in 1964. When Lincoln High School closed, Northside's enrollment continued to grow.

Improvements were made continually for the next several years. First, Grizzly Stadium was renamed Mayo-Thompson Stadium. The campus continued to grow with the addition of the Fine Arts building, learning lab, and elevator during the 1980-1981 school year. The Rogers Book Store was purchased to house computer labs and kept its original name, the Schlenker Building. In 2003-2004, the original gym was renovated with a new finished floor, a film room, and new custom oak lockers. The original floor, possibly the only one of its kind, required special efforts to be able to reseal and finish it. The girls basketball team has been one of the strongest teams in the state for several years, winning four straight titles between 1999-2002.

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