Two years later, they built the first school on East Hinson Avenue where the former City Hall building was located.

Any student wishing a high school education had to attend classes in Lakeland, located 25 miles away from Haines City.

In 1883, when trains would pass through this Central Florida area, they were lost from sight because of the railroad tracks that were built so deep in the clay.

The citrus industry eventually recovered from the devastation, and in the 1920s, Haines City profited from a large population boost.

As a result the community was incorporated, the city limits were expanded and many residential and commercial buildings were erected.

The first serving grades one through twelve was built in 1922-23 on Ledwith Avenue where the city tennis court facility is now located.

With continued enrollment demands, the school was forced to seek a new location which could accommodate the rapidly growing area around the community.

In the past twenty years since moving, the high school has added a gymnasium, a new agricultural and industrial arts complex, a new science building in 1990 and a new social studies wing in 1991.

On Friday May 17, 2013, Haines City High School experienced a small fire in the freshman academy building.

A Staff member got on the intercom and said, "(radio feedback) Attention all students in the 9th grade building, evacuate immediately.