EDITOR’S NOTE: Kenny Libben is the curator of the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum in Loudonville. More information on Loudonville’s history can be found at the museum’s Facebook page.
LOUDONVILLE — In November 1925, builders completed construction on the new Loudonville High School on east Main Street.
The building was located immediately north of the Union School (built in 1885) which faced west on Wood Street and had until then housed all grades.
The high school was completed at a cost of $170,000, and in 1940 would be expanded again at the cost of an additional $170,000.
The new building housed the high school student body while the other grades would remain in the Union building.
In 1953 a new elementary school was constructed on east Bustle Street at a cost of $613,274, with the Union School being razed.
The elementary school was built on the site of the athletic fields, so new athletic fields were constructed on north Mount Vernon Avenue at an initial cost of $82,303.
In 1959 the elementary school was named R.F. McMullen after the former Superintendent.
Following consolidation of Loudonville and Perrysville school districts in 1961, a new high school was built adjacent to the athletic complex on Mount Vernon Avenue.
The new building cost $1,455,00 and was completed in 1964. The old high school was renamed in honor of C.E. Budd, who had served as Superintendent during its construction, and was converted to a middle school.
In May 1968, the new high school was renamed Hugo Young High School in recognition of the founder of the Flxible Company, but quickly renamed Loudonville High School after public backlash and at the request of Mr. Young.