History
St. Francis High School was built in 1963 after a decision was made in 1961 to purchase and develop the land on the corner of Lake Drive and Lunham Avenue.
This beautiful parcel of land that overlooks one of the most precious natural resources in the world (Lake Michigan) has a unique history in and of itself.
George Wentworth received this plot and other land as a 160 acre soldier’s grant following his service during the Civil War. With this land, Wentworth farmed and provided for his family until 1891. In 1892, Wentworth sold the land to the South Point Park company for possible development. After over twenty years without development, the land was purchased by the Wisconsin General Railway Company (WGRC) in 1917. Facing financial hardships, the Wisconsin Electric Power Company saw an opportunity and purchased the land from the WGRC. Up until 1956, three different families rented the land, house and barn from the Wisconsin Electric Company.
The land where the high school now resides was named “Bessey’s Hill” after the family that first rented the property. It was here that many youth in the community and their families made memories sledding, tobogganing and skiing on barrel staves down the hill.
During the 1950s the student population in St. Francis was rising steadily and the desire to build a high school drew the community to approve the finances to purchase and develop the land. On November 10, 1963, St. Francis High School was officially dedicated.
Shortly after the initial construction, the need for more student space was evident. A large addition was made on the south end of campus and several classrooms were added to accommodate learning needs.
With the support of the St. Francis Community a referendum was passed in the 1990s to renovate some of the athletic facilities, including athletic facilites upgrades to the weight room, adding tennis courts, removing the pool and removing the stage in the gymnasium. In addition, important upgrades were performed to the technology infrastructure. Another referendum was passed in the 2000s that added a science wing, upgraded the technology infrastructure, changed the front entrance and added a large atrium at the entrance.