Old Belvidere High School

Old Belvidere High School is a school complex made up of four connected buildings in Belvidere. These structures span different construction periods and combine Classical Revival, Prairie School, and Art Deco design elements.

The complex began in 1893 with Garfield School as its first structure. Over the following decades, additions included a powerhouse, the main high school building, and later an auditorium with gymnasium.

The school complex tells the story of how educational spaces evolved across decades. Walking through the different buildings, you can observe the shift from one architectural language to another as additions were made over time.

The site is best explored during daylight hours to see the architectural details across the different buildings clearly. The complex flows together naturally, making it easy to walk through and compare the various styles and periods side by side.

The auditorium built in 1939 was among the first school buildings in the region to use fluorescent lighting. This new lighting technology was uncommon in educational facilities at that time.