Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

$12.5 million restoration is complete at first public school in Las Vegas

Dedication of the Rehabilitated Historic Westside School

Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow pose with students who attended the historic Westside School Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 during a ceremony to mark the completion of the school’s renovation. The school, established as the Branch Number 1, Las Vegas Grammar School in 1923, underwent a $12.5 million renovation to update and preserve the buildings as a community resource.

Dedication of the Rehabilitated Historic Westside School

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow shake hands during the dedication of the rehabilitated historic Westside School Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. The school, established as the Branch Number 1, Las Vegas Grammar School in 1923, underwent a $12.5 million renovation to update and preserve the buildings as a community resource. Launch slideshow »

Las Vegas' first public school has re-emerged after a $12.5 million facelift.

The Historic Westside School was dedicated Saturday morning in a ceremony that drew Democratic Sen. Harry Reid as well as Las Vegas officials.

The school opened in 1923 as a branch of the Las Vegas Grammar School.

It was also the first in the city to integrate black students in the 1940s.

Construction crews have spent the past 18 months restoring the four-classroom school and annex building.

Officials say improvements include insular windows, covered parking and electric car charging stations.

The classrooms will serve as meeting and exhibit space and offices.

The property, which closed in the 1960s, is on the state and National Register of Historic Places.

Funding came from the city and other agencies.

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