08/13/2026
150 Years of Halsey History — Celebrating Our Schools & Achievements
As part of Halsey’s 150th Anniversary celebration, we continue looking back at the people, places, and traditions that have shaped our community. For generations, Halsey schools have been more than places of learning—they have been gathering places where families, neighbors, and community members came together.
🏫 History of Halsey’s Schools
The history of education in Halsey began in 1871, when the first school was established as a private school before an official school district was organized. Classes were held in the home located at 96 East G Street, which is now a private residence.
In 1888, the Halsey School District built its first school building on the east side of the railroad tracks (pictured), where the Halsey Mennonite Church/School is now located on East 1st Street. The original school had four rooms and four teachers. As the community grew, the building expanded to meet the needs of local students. Around 1920, two additional rooms were added for high school students. In 1930, improvements included the addition of a basement, electricity, and a furnace.
The original portion of the current Halsey Elementary School building located at 239 West 2nd was completed in 1936, replacing the earlier school located near the railroad tracks. The new school became the center of education in the community, housing all twelve grades. The grade school occupied the north half of the building, the high school occupied the south half, and the gymnasium connected the two sections.
🏆 Achievement Day
During this era, the school was also at the heart of many community celebrations, including Halsey Achievement Day. The first Achievement Day was held on May 21, 1927 and became an annual celebration recognizing the accomplishments of local students and 4-H members.
The event celebrated youth achievements in many areas, including sewing, cooking, gardening, sheep, cattle, and horses. School work was also displayed, and prizes were given for the best work. The event also included a parade, consisting of floats constructed by students and teachers.
A baseball game was usually played in the afternoon. Beginning in 1929, a king and queen and their court were chosen by the popular vote of the high school students and presided over the events of the day. Achievement Day soon grew into a significant community gathering, bringing large crowds for a full day of activities.
🏫 Central Linn School District is Formed
The Halsey school system changed significantly in the late 1950s. The final graduations for both the Halsey grade school and high school were held in June 1957, following the consolidation of the Halsey School District with the Brownsville and Shedd districts. The new Central Linn School District was formed, and a new high school was constructed east of Halsey, opening in September 1958.
For several years, the Halsey school building on West 2nd Street continued to serve the community as an elementary school. The building was later remodeled and expanded, reopening in September 1977 as a middle school. Following the closure of the Brownsville and Shedd elementary schools at the end of the 1993–94 school year, the Halsey school once again became the sole elementary school serving the district.
The old school building east of the railroad tracks had several lives after serving generations of students. It was used as a chicken hatchery for a time, then sat vacant for many years before eventually being removed. Construction of the Halsey Mennonite Church and School began at the site in 2010.
Although our schools have changed over the years, their role in the community remains an important part of Halsey’s history.
📸 Share Your History
As we celebrate 150 years of Halsey, we invite residents to share their memories, photographs, and stories of Halsey schools, teachers, classmates, and community traditions for a chance to be featured in the upcoming special anniversary edition of the Halsey Happenings Newsletter. Stop by City Hall or email your photos to [email protected].
