Abraham Lincoln High School, Des Moines, Iowa

Lincoln High School was built in 1923. The post World War I growth of Des Moines, plus the boom era of the 1920′s, resulted in significant growth on the south side of Des Moines. Before Lincoln was built, most high school students living on the south side had to travel some distance to attend East High School.

On March 18, 1918, a bond issue was passed by the voters of Des Moines to build Abraham Lincoln High School. The bonds were to be sold as money was needed between the years of 1918 and 1923.

It cost $775,492.25 to build Lincoln, with the fixtures and furnishings bringing the total to $949,754.95. The original high school contained fifty-five classrooms, two gymnasiums, one swimming pool, several home-economics labs, an art and music room, a cafeteria, spacious offices, and an auditorium with a capacity of 1,300 people.

In 1962, a new library and science wing was added which included classroom and lab space, and a library shelving over 13,000 volumes. In 1963 a light-well was enclosed to provide for a male faculty lounge. In 1964, contracts totaling $1,667,000 were let to construct a new gymnasium, swimming pool addition plus extensive remodeling of the boys’ old gym and dressing rooms for use by the girls. The old swimming pool space would be used for classrooms. Another light-well was enclosed to make a counseling center. The new counseling center would have a reception room, two conference rooms, and six individual counseling rooms.

In 2006, Lincoln underwent a remodel. This large-scale project took a year to complete and included creating the Commons area, a gathering place for students, updating the cafeteria, adding elevators and several other miscellaneous updates.

Now Lincoln High School is better than ever, a modern school in the heart of Des Moines.

Abraham Lincoln High School
2600 S.W. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315