Boulder High School

This Friday, May 8, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Boulder High School will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a special open house at its historic campus on Arapahoe Avenue. The evening will include guest speakers, guided tours, live music, historical slideshows, and light refreshments. The event is free, and RSVP information is available through the Boulder Valley School District.

For alumni, longtime residents, and anyone who appreciates Boulder history, this is more than a school celebration. It is a chance to reconnect with one of the city’s most important landmarks and the generations of students who helped shape Boulder into the community it is today.

Colorado’s First Public High School

Founded in 1875, Boulder High School holds the distinction of being Colorado’s first public high school. At the time, Boulder was still a small frontier mining town, and Colorado had not yet achieved statehood. The school originally served as a preparatory department for the University of Colorado Boulder, helping students prepare for higher education during the earliest days of the university.

The first graduating class received diplomas on June 9, 1876. Students studied subjects including Latin, algebra, physiology, ancient geography, and multiple foreign languages such as German, Greek, and French. Even student life had its own traditions, with freshmen through seniors nicknamed “Onies,” “Toots,” “Trips,” and “Quads.”

The Iconic Red Stone Campus

As Boulder grew, so did the school. By the 1930s, Boulder High had outgrown several earlier buildings. During the Great Depression, funding from President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal WPA program helped construct the stunning red sandstone and limestone campus that still stands today.

The building officially opened in 1937 and remains one of Boulder’s most recognizable architectural landmarks, known for its Streamline Moderne style and iconic design. Generations of Boulder residents have walked through its halls, making the school one of the city’s most enduring symbols.

Minnie and Jake: Boulder’s Most Controversial Statues

One of the school’s most memorable controversies arrived shortly after construction. In 1938, two limestone statues nicknamed “Minnie” and “Jake” were installed above the entrances. Created by sculptor Marvin Martin, the statues immediately sparked debate throughout the community.

Boulder High School

Some residents criticized the artwork and demanded the figures be removed, while others traveled from neighboring towns just to see them. The statues created such a stir that local authorities reportedly had to help manage crowds gathering outside the school.

Decades later, Minnie and Jake remain beloved symbols of Boulder High tradition and are still among the most photographed features on campus.

The Owl and the Stories That Never Die

Much of the school’s colorful history has been preserved through The Owl, Boulder High’s student newspaper. Founded in 1909, The Owl has documented more than a century of student life, community events, and cultural changes inside the halls of the school.

Recent anniversary coverage, prepared with the help of head librarian Emily Gallegos and the school archives, uncovered countless fascinating stories from Boulder High’s past.

Among them was a fully functioning student-run McDonald’s once located inside the cafeteria. Another memorable chapter involved a pet boa constrictor named “Boa J. Constrictor.” After the snake died, students raised money to purchase a replacement they humorously named “Julius Squeezer.”

In the 1980s, students affectionately referred to the outdoor smoking area as the “cancer cage,” a detail still remembered by many alumni today.

Through Wars, Pandemics, and Change

The school has also lived through major moments in American history. During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, classes were suspended multiple times as Boulder dealt with outbreaks sweeping across the country.

During World War II, students participated in wartime scrap metal drives and were required to contribute materials to support the war effort. Like Boulder itself, the school has continually evolved alongside the changing times.

Famous Panthers Who Left Their Mark

Boulder High’s alumni list reflects its lasting impact far beyond Colorado. Graduates include astronaut Scott Carpenter, Jello Biafra, Chipotle Mexican Grill founder Steve Ells, professional cyclists Davis Phinney and Taylor Phinney, and sportswriter Rick Reilly.

Their accomplishments helped shape sports, music, business, journalism, and even space exploration, but they all started as Panthers walking the same halls that students walk today.

Astronaut Scott Carpenter

Why Boulder High Still Matters

Despite the changing decades, some things have remained remarkably consistent. Students still form lifelong friendships, stress over exams, discover their passions, and create memories that stay with them forever.

That continuity may be the most meaningful part of Boulder High’s story.

Friday’s anniversary celebration offers the community a rare opportunity to walk through that history in person. Alumni are encouraged to bring old yearbooks and photographs to share with the archives team. Parking will be limited, so organizers recommend using public transportation or nearby paid parking garages.

One hundred fifty years after its founding, Boulder High School continues to stand at the center of Boulder’s identity. It has witnessed mining booms, wars, cultural revolutions, university growth, and enormous technological change while continuing to educate generations of Panthers.

Whether you graduated decades ago or simply appreciate Boulder’s unique history, this celebration belongs to the entire community.

See you Friday, Panthers.

AboutBoulder-admin