New High School to be builtThe following appeared in the Rock County News on December 5, 1894:A HANDSOME EDIFICEWill be Luverne’s New High School — Plans of Architect Mclaughlin AcceptedA year hence Luverne will have added to her list of public buildings a high school that will be a source of pride as well as of educational profit.Architect W. D. McLaughlin, of Sioux City, spent Thursday and Friday of last week in the city. He came to look over the ground and to consult with the school board touching the plans for the new high school building. The main points are practically agreed on now, although some details are yet to be perfected.Luverne quartzite will be the stone used for the walls, to be trimmed with picked Jasper. The main entrance will be on the south, but there will also be entrances on the north and west. The eastern side of the building will be attractively finished, so it will make a good appearance. Height of building to cornice will be about 36 feet, topped by a hip roof, and there will be a tower or pediment 15 feet in height. The finished building will have a very attractive appearance, the massiveness of the material to be used being toned and softened by skillful architectural touches.The basement of the building will at first be used only for the heating apparatus and fuel supply. It will have finished stairways, however, and will be so built that a schoolroom could be easily arranged there if future growth should demand it.On the first floor will be a large assembly room, with seating capacity for 100. This room will be finely finished and altogether as light and healthful as it can be made.On the upper floor will be four classrooms with a seating capacity of 50 pupils to each.In addition to these there will be in the building two recitation rooms, chemical and physical laboratories, library, etc.The total cost of building, heating apparatus included, is expected to come within $20,000.Architect McLaughlin is one of the leaders of his profession in the west. He has drawn the plans for and erected many very fine and substantial buildings and private residences. The Fogg residence, near Luverne, was built from plans drawn by him while a resident of St. Paul. His high standing in his profession is evidenced by his appointment as supervising architect of the magnificent new public building now being erected in Sioux City. Our school board deserve great credit for securing the services of such a man. It always pays to get the best.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.