A Little Bit of History
by Cheryl A. Ravens
Grade 1, Central School, 4/7/26
Photos courtesy of the Valley Courier
Researching an historical structure or event is a bit like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. First you sort out the corners from all the pieces in the box, next you look for all the straight edges. The staff of Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus has begun the task of constructing the history of the building we currently occupy. We would like to expand our knowledge of this history in conjunction with our upcoming Homecoming celebration to be held October 22, 2011. We invite anyone who ever attended school or worked in the building to attend this event and add your recollections to our shared history. Some information is simply missing. As you read this story see if you can supply any of the missing pieces; we would enjoy hearing from you.
Currently we know that on this site four schools existed: North Side School, Central School, the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School, and Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus. According to articles located in the 1981 publication “Little Bits Here and There of the History of RE – 11J Schools”, Ortega Middle School student reporters indicate that the North Side School was originally constructed as a one room building divided into four classrooms. Due to an increase in population in Alamosa, the need arose for more space and a new school was required. Fathers were asked to donate $1 per month per child in each household to help finance the new school. The work quickly began with the hopes of opening in January, 1905, however a 1904 Christmas day fire destroyed the partially completed school and funds were quickly raised to reconstruct the new school. We believe at this time the name was changed from North Side School to Central School.
Grade 2, Central School, 4/7/26
Photos courtesy of the Valley Courier
Central School was not the only elementary school in Alamosa during the early part of the century. Boyd School also existed in the 1930’s. Students living on the north side of Main Street attended Central School and students living on the south side of Main Street attended Boyd School. Central School had parallel lines running down the center of the hallway which students were required to walk between when passing through the building. Early in the history of the school it is said during the winter months the coal furnace was allowed to burn out on Friday afternoon in order to conserve funds. On Monday morning the furnace was re-lit and to avoid sitting inside a chilly classroom, students were allowed to ice skate outside of the school building until it was warm enough to return inside.
Alamosa High School was also originally located on this property. Our research did not indicate the dates or if it was in fact a separate structure. We do know that in 1920 high school students were relocated into a new building which housed both middle and high school students. That former building stood in the location of the present day Safeway store on the north side of Main Street.
Central School was torn down in the 1940’s and rebuilt into a newer school that we believe is the structure standing today. The San Luis Valley Area Vocational School, operating under the Alamosa School District, began offering classes in 1975 in the present day Monte Vista Middle School. In 1980, the building we occupy today became the home of the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School. Program offerings at that time were Building Trades, Emergency Medical Technician, Heavy Equipment/Diesel Maintenance, Industrial Maintenance Electrician, Licensed Practical Nursing, Office Occupations, and Welding. Depending on the program, tuition and fees for Colorado resident students ranged from $110 per term to $335 per term. Many San Luis Valley residents began their careers with “the Voc School” and continue working in those careers today.
Central School (date unknown)
Photos courtesy of the Valley Courier
Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) acquired the San Luis Valley Area Vocational School property in 1995, offering San Luis Valley residents the opportunity to attend a community college close to home. Renovations to the building began in 1999 with a grand opening ceremony scheduled for January, 2000. Many local business leaders, citizens of the San Luis Valley, and state representatives were invited to attend. Due to a rather large weather system of snow and cold temperatures, many roads and the local airport were closed, leaving a handful of participants to celebrate the new facilities. Today TSJC Valley Campus is thriving with a fall enrollment of approximately 530 students. Additionally, 145 students from ten San Luis Valley high schools are concurrently enrolled in courses. Tuition and fees today remain affordable at $132.90 per credit hour for Colorado resident students. Several certificates can be completed in as little as one semester.
Please come celebrate with us on October 22, 2011, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm on the campus grounds. We want you to share your stories with us, reminisce, reconnect with old friends, and make some new acquaintances…build a vision and construct a memory. (Thank you to Alamosa School District staff, Alamosa County Assessor and County Clerk & Recorder staff, the Valley Courier, ASC Reference Librarian, and TSJC Valley campus staff for assistance in compiling this article).
