The first school sessions in Rockford, Illinois were held in a log cabin starting in 1837.

[2] Garrison School was built in 1887 to serve the booming west side residential district.

The building was designed by George Bradley & Son, a prominent local architectural firm.

[3] It was named after Thomas Garrison, one of the early real estate developers of the district who died in 1871.

When the Garrison–Coronado–Haskell Historic District was established on January 12, 2012, the Garrison School was considered a contributing property.