The first gymnasium in Clay County was likely located in the Chautauqua Auditorium, also known as The Big Chautauqua. The gym itself was most often called City Auditorium. 

The building included 22,500 square feet, including elevated spectator seating. The building, which was often referred to as the “City Auditorium” was built around 1900 as a pavilion. Some pictures include exterior walls, which may have been added or temporary walls were used depending on the season.The building’s remnants still exist today with a concrete floor, steps, and basketball goals in Huntress Park. 

The Chautauqua Auditorium included a large gym that housed basketball games and practices by local students. 

When the county’s first stand-alone high school was built in 1909, a second gym joined the community. (pictured above) This one smaller than a full-sized court like we know today. 

The high school gym was made of brick with windows to let in natural light. There was a small amount of spectator seating. 

At the time it was common for viewers to be elevated to save on space. However, their access to the basketball during games eventually became a problem in the early days of the game, causing backboards to be added as standard in 1906. (There are not reports of this being an issue in Clay County, but was a common issue of the time.) 

Games were played in both gyms, despite the discrepancy in sizes. The picture above is from 1925.

When the current CCCHS was built, a full-size gym was added with space for retractable bleachers. The gym floor is original to the building and was installed in 1962, said Director of Plant Facilities for USD 379, Craig Easterberg. He added that the floor is maintenance annually by adding coats of polyurethane to protect the wood and add grip for athletes. 

After 60+ years, Easterberg said the gym will need to be replaced in the next few years. 

Over the decades it has featured various mascot art, including the current paw, painted by retired art teacher, Tracy Lebo, and a tiger that she also painted, pictured above. The infamous tiger is missing its clawing paws, as they were edited out for a senior photo shoot. Prior to the tiger, she said there was a CC adorning the center of the floor.