From the Archives: Junior high and high schools we miss

Construction began on Lansing’s first high school in 1872, about the time the state Capitol was being built.

Lansing High School opened in 1875 on the present site of Lansing Community College's University Center. When Eastern High School opened on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1928, it was renamed Lansing Central High School. J.W. Sexton High School, Everett High School and Harry Hill High School would follow.

Portions of the first high school were demolished over the years and additions put on. It eventually became part of Lansing Community College, and the building was demolished in 2006. Most of the area was left as green space but a portion of it was used to build the new University Center.

St. Mary's High Catholic High School was founded in 1904, followed by Resurrection High School, which was established in 1935.

Monsignor John W. O'Rafferty High School opened on West Saginaw in Delta Township and Monsignor John H. Gabriels High School was opened at the corner of East Saginaw and Marshall Street, both in January of 1964. The two schools were consolidated in 1970 on the Gabriels campus, and the school was renamed Lansing Catholic Central High School. It was later again renamed Lansing Catholic High School.

West Junior High was built in 1920,  part of a plan to bring all seventh, eighth and ninth grade students together into two buildings to relieve congestion in Lansing's high schools. Pattengill Junior High, first known as East Junior, was built the following year.

In 1925, Walter French Junior High was erected at Mt. Hope Avenue and Cedar street to serve pupils on the south side of the city. Otto Junior High School opened Oct. 28, 1956 and Dwight Rich Junior High opened in 1963.

Here's a look back at some of the junior high and high schools that are no longer in operation.

Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 or vdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@vickkiD.