Central High School (also known as Grand Rapids High School) was opened in 1859 and remained the only high school in Grand Rapids until Union High School was built in 1897. The original structure was known as the old stone schoolhouse and the limestone for this building was extracted from the Grand River bed. The second building was constructed in 1867, was heated by steam and used gas lighting. The third building was erected in 1893. The high school used both the second and third buildings to house its growing student body through 1910. From 1911, the high school was housed in its current building. Grand Rapids Junior College, founded in 1914, was initially also housed in the current building.

Central High School graduated its first class in 1862. This class consisted of 13 girls, since the boys had all left for military service in the Civil War. When Union High School opened in 1897, students attended Union until tenth grade and then attended Central High to complete their studies and graduate. This went on until Union graduated its first class in 1912.

In 1979 a history class at Central High School took on the task, with the guidance from history teacher Ed Merizon, of documenting Central High School's history and their work produced this collection. Due to their efforts, there is a nearly comprehensive collection of the Helios newspapers, as well as a number of photographs, alumni information, newspaper clippings and programs for various events. There are also a number of scrapbooks that contain information from the late 1800s through the early 1920s. This different group of information will be explained and described in the scope and content section.