As Belvidere's population continued to grow, school officials struggled to prevent classrooms from overcrowding.

The school district successfully applied for grants from the Public Works Administration, receiving over $62,000.

It received this distinction as a locally significant example of the Classical Revival, Prairie School, and Art Deco styles.

[2] Belvidere High School is located on the northeast cover of Pearl and First Streets.

The Garfield School stands two-and-a-half stories with a painted brick exterior.

It is built on a coursed, rock face stone foundation and features a full raised basement.

Some time between 1912 and 1915, an addition was made to the north facade which nearly doubled the size of the structure.

This building combined elements of the Classical Revival with the popular Prairie School.

The two-story building on a raised basement was built with dark brown brick.

The roof is red tile, decorated with a brown terra cotta cornice.

Large pilasters decorate the corners with terra cotta capitals and bases.