The chosen site was between 12th and 13th Streets along East 2nd Avenue, and existing property owners were willing to sell.

The optimal location for the building happened to be directly in the 2nd Avenue right-of-way, so the city abandoned the road and an alley in the 12th–13th Street block.

[7] The Durango High School was one of the last projects that MacLaren and Thomas collaborated on before their partnership dissolved on April 4, 1917.

[12] Durango High School was added to the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties on August 8, 2001.

[6] With a commitment to cultivating as much growth as possible, each graduate completes 27 credits (meeting the requirement of 4 year colleges).

[14] The Durango High School building was designed in the Classical Revival style,[13] intended to accommodate 500 students.

[9][15] At the time of construction, Durango lacked a theater or public assembly hall, so the auditorium was built with the intent that it be used by the community and school.

Classrooms were modified with dropped ceilings and new lighting; the auditorium became a large, level-floored meeting room; and the swimming pool was covered over and became a storage area.