School History

In 1932, a tract of 32 acres was purchased by the trustees of the district for the site of a high school in the Eau Claire Community. As a result of a survey by the local citizens, it was determined that there were enough students to organize a high school. Thus the construction of Eau Claire High School was begun in 1948. The new school served to relieve the overcrowded conditions of Columbia High School. The approximate cost of the original building was on-half million dollars.

The first school year begun with 1949-50 term. There were only the seventh through eleventh grades because the seniors of Columbia High School were allowed to graduate with their class. On June 3, 1951 Eau Claire High School has its first graduating class.

In 1951, a new wing was added to the east side accommodate the junior high classes at a cost of $100,000.

In 1953, the back campus was graded and a part of it was resodded for the athletic field, and as a main project for that year, the Greenback’s lighted the field.

To relieve the crowded conditions of Eau Claire High, Gibbs Junior High was constructed in 1954-55 & Eau Claire became a senior high school. In the fall of 1961, Alcorn Junior High was constructed and Eau Claire High became a 3 year senior high school.

A new addition housing the science and music departments was completed in 1965. In 1970 a second story was added to this new wing in order to take care of the increasing enrollment.

In 1972-73, at a cost of two million dollars, additional constructions were completed. These included a new vocational wing, classrooms, administrative offices, media center, studio, locker rooms and a renovated gym, cafeteria and guidance complex.

During the same time, to relieve the crowded conditions at the junior high schools, Eau Claire became a four-year senior high school.

A girls’ varsity dressing room and tennis courts were constructed in 1979.

In 1990 the science department wing of the school was renovated. The major reconstruction was changing four classrooms into two large lab/classrooms combinations, and changing the band room into two science classroom. The vocational classroom was renovated for use as a new band room.

In 2002, Richland School District T’s Bond referendum passed. Eau Claire renovations included art, athletic and instructional wings, new science labs, auditorium, gym, and a fine arts wing.

The Eau Claire history is still being made today.