Neosho High School celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, marking it as the longest-serving high school building in Neosho history.

With the end of World War II, the population of the Neosho area experienced tremendous growth and all the school buildings were filled to capacity. With approval from voters, the Neosho School District planned the new high school on what was then a rather lonely stretch of U.S. Highway 71. The voters also approved a bond issue to add more classrooms to the three elementary schools.

In January of 1954, the district moved 309 fifth and sixth grade students into the unfinished high school building. Fifth and sixth grade students, along with their nine teachers, used the new building until all the planned classrooms were completed. The local newspaper reported that moving these students into the building launched "...Neosho's ambitious school expansion program."

Once the new high school was finished and much of the elementary expansion was completed, plans called for shifting the fifth and sixth grade classes to the "present high school which will thereafter be the intermediate school."

As the new high school was being built, work was also in progress to expand the elementary schools.

On Nov. 8, 1954, the school district hosted an open house to show off the new high school. Parents were invited to a program and tour of the building. Superintendent R.W. Anderson welcomed the visitors and then the Neosho High School band entertained with three pieces, "Happy Anniversary," "Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon," and "Tribute to Glenn Miller."

Following the band concert, the high school's mixed choir sang "Come Thou Holy Spirit," "Cool Water," "Rocka Ma Soul," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Parents were then invited to tour the building, They went through the classrooms using the same route their own children would follow when high school classes began.

On Friday, Dec. 17, 1954, the move was made to the new high school. Students moved their own things and helped with the library and other common materials in the building. Much of the day was working in the common areas, filling lockers and getting ready for some serious study the following Monday.

At the time class began, the gymnasium was not complete, but it was hoped the gym could be used after the Christmas break. The gymnasium was a source of great pride. The local newspaper again reported on the 3,000 seat structure, "....the new gym would be the basketball showplace of southwest Missouri...(featuring) an electric scoreboard which will be suspended from the ceiling at mid-court."

Since the initial construction of the building, much has been added and changed, but Neosho High School is still going strong after 50 years of service to students in the Neosho area.