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Built: 1899
The Blair High School was constructed in 1899. It is a two-story over raised basement brick structure designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The original H-plan, sheltered by a series of hipped roofs, had two additions appended to the north. The first, a two-story gable roofed brick Colonial Revival annex was added in 1929. In 1967 a small, one-story, flat-roofed brick structure was appended to the west facade of the 1929 addition.

Blair's first high school now restored as apartments Built in 1899, a two-story addition was constructed in 1929. The structure is significant for its association with noted Nebraska architect John Latenser, Sr. The rehabilitation, completed in 1997, converted the former school to rental residential space.

Central School has been a landmark in Blair since 1899. Designed by Master Architect, John Latenser, Sr. it was Blair's first high school. As Blair continued to grow an L-shaped addition was built in 1929. This building included additional classrooms and the gymnasium. Blair Central School was used for education through 1989 when a new middle school was built.

The building was vacant until 1994 when a major renovation was started on the building now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Renovation was completed in the spring of 1996 and today includes 32 luxury apartments and five businesses.

Central School

 By 1899 Blair had grown to the point that the construction of a new high school was begun that year. The building was designed by master architect, John Latenser in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It was built for about $40,000. The Carpentry contractor was William Maier. His bid was $13,652. The H-plan of the building was constructed over a raised brick basement giving the building 3 stories of useful space. A large assembly hall on the third floor required a roof span of 60 ft and a ceiling which was finished in pressed metal including an ornate cornice. The brick used was a very hard burned red brick with thin joints and a red sandstone for door and window trim. The corner stone was laid September 22, 1899 and the brick walls were completed later in November. It was 1900 before the building was occupied.
By 1929, the deficiencies of the old building had become apparent and a new modern building was proposed. It was to occupy the space north of the 1899 high school and involved the removal of the old grade school in that location. The superintendent, D.V. Masser had been at the school 7 years and the institution had prospered both academically and in extra curricular activities. J.L. Pounds, Dr. W.F. Hemphill, Harry Morris, William Wright, C.A. Robeson and H.H. Brown were on the board of education. Proudfoot, Rawson, Souers and Thomas of Des Moines Iowa were the architects. They designed a building in the Colonial Revival style including a large auditorium with stage. The library, special rooms for music, normal training and home economics were the most advanced for the time. Modern laboratories were equipped for biology, physics and chemistry as well as many classrooms and a large study hall. Careful attention was given to lighting, ventilation, heating, storage, and sanitation. There was an inside connection made to the old building which was then placed in service as the Junior High. The Superintendents Suite included a board room for the school board! The contractor was Ohlsen and Sons from David City who's contract was for $150,000.