In December, 1894 Willimantic citizens approved the building of a new high school that would consolidate the overcrowded first and second district’s high schools. A building committee was appointed and later presented the plan for the high school building which had been drawn up by architect Charles Beardsley of Bridgeport. The proposed building would be 100x80 feet, “with two stories for school purposes, having room for a large hall above and can accommodate 250 pupils”. In March, 1896, the contract to build a high school was awarded to Jeremiah O. Sullivan. On April 2, 1897 the new high school was dedicated and opened. During the ceremonies, High School Committeeman Thomas Kelley formally presented the building to the town. It was accepted by George Meloney on behalf of all the selectmen. Classes at the school began three days later. But on the morning of April 27, 1913, Willimantic residents woke up to find that Windham High School had been completely destroyed by fire. The fire had been discovered at 2:40 A.M. and the fire companies responded promptly but when firefighters reached the school, it was apparent that the fire had progressed rapidly. The heat was so intense that firemen working the nozzles had to be covered with wet blankets. Crowds soon gathered from within the city and from surrounding areas. At the height of the blaze, there were several explosions from the chemistry laboratory. Pieces of bricks were scattered by the explosions but no one was hurt. The fire continued to burn throughout the morning. Many of those who came early stayed on even as more devastated members of the community came to see what was left of the building. The older part of the high school had been built in 1896 and the newer part added in 1910. The fire began in the newer section. This week’s rare photo shows not only the extent of the damage to the high school building but also the debris that was scattered by the explosions from the chemistry lab. The fiery destruction of the grand high school building stunned the whole town and a massive community effort was put into motion to resolve the problems, and overcome the tragedy. A special town meeting was then convened to discuss the building of a new school. Maybe the fine architectural lines of the old school had not suited everyone.  An editorial in the Chronicle begged the town not to erect a “fancy building.” “Let it contain the latest improvements in every way but dispense with the frills.”  And if possible, it asked, “why not integrate the foundations of the old school into the new?”  On May 6, 1913, after much lengthy and heated discussion, the town appropriated $150,000 for the erection of a new high school building, and made provision for $75,000 worth of bonds from the insurance money Many thought $150,000 was far too much, and there was much support to rebuild the school on the remaining foundations, which would probably cost less than $90,000. A school building committee was formed that consisted of George F. Taylor, R.F. Mitchell, W.D. Grant, A.L. Gelinas and M.  Eugene Lincoln. Work started immediately on the new building, and the new design called for.  a modern, “functional” structure that would accommodate 600 students, a figure sufficient until 1930. It was completed in a year, and the first classes were held there in September 1914. The whole third floor was given over laboratories, as the new school would focus upon the teaching of scientific principles. The new basement gymnasium compensated “in measure for the lack of an outdoor playground.”  The school was further enlarged in 1932 by the erection of an eastern wing that included a new library. This lifted the school's capacity to 925. This renovation cost $94,000, and also remodeled the gymnasium into a cafeteria. In 1948, another $100,000 was expended to build the new Case gymnasium and a pool. The gym was named for  Principal Egbert Case, who had  served in that post for 38 years,  from 1910-1948.  In 1952, a plan was submitted to build a new school that would make Willimantic the regional center for high school education. This was defeated, but the plan to build a new school was resurrected a decade later, and this too was heavily defeated in a town referendum in June 1962. In 1967, the overcrowded conditions at the Prospect Street school led to a town referendum to build a new high school on a 40.4-acre tract on High Street.  This passed by a 1709-547 vote, and construction of the new  $5.17 million Windham High  School went ahead. It was planned to hold 1,400 students.  The move took place in 1969.