The new high school was built on land once occupied by the Assumption Church which itself had been destroyed by fire in 1912.

Construction on the $1 million school was delayed by World War I, and CHS finally opened in September 1921.

Situated on a hill, its large front lawn featured the "keys of knowledge" outlined in shrubs.

A small park and a memorial to Chicopee residents who died in World War I was constructed on an adjacent parcel.

Another location that earned an enduring nickname was "Cats Alley," a windowless hallway on the second floor that ran between the gymnasium and the auditorium.