Construction on the original building began in 1904 after Central School (also known as Irving) became too small due to a growing student population. The new building was completed in 1908 and opened to 328 high school students on February 14, 1908.
In 1918, the Board of Education decided to expand the original structure, built in 1908. A south unit was added at that time. In 1932, plans were drawn up to remodel the old north unit in conjunction with building the center unit. Public Works Administration (PWA) funds were used to make this happen. The picture below shows the words "Vote YES" and the numbers "'34" and is believed to be taken prior to the completion of the central unit.
The District approved remodeling of the north wing in 1932 and in 1935 the center unit of Washington High was completed. The old central school was razed in 1935 to make room for the west wing. That structure remained from 1935 to the final use in 1992 when the current Washington High School was built in northeast Sioux Falls.
