The first high school was organized in the south part of Elbert County and known as Union High School District. The first term opened in Matheson in 1911. In 1913, Simla District No 43 joined the Union High School District and the combined district moved to Simla in 1913. The new Simla Union High School started increasing in enrollment and in 1914, it was decide to make S.U.H.S. a permanent institution and construction of a new school building was started that year. By 1917, a roof was completed over the basement and this was used for the high school. The structure was completed in 1920 (see picture below) at a cost of $40,000. This building was used by both Simla primary and secondary students (including Matheson, Ramah and Central primary schools) until 1969 when it was demolished for a new “pod” structure school.
1920 Simla Union High School
