After the loss of the first high school, a larger, brick structure was built in 1883 at the same location as the original, for the cost of $90,000.

In the beginning of the 1920 - 1921 school year, the Magnet wrote an article about the freshmen class being the largest in the history of the OHS along information, and construction updates about the new building.

Later that school year on April 19, 1921, another fire sparked in the attic of the building and spread, eventually engulfing the roof and second floor.

The site remained empty until 1951 when Washington Elementary School (now Owatonna Education Center) was built.

In the south wing of the 1921 section of the school down in the basement was where the original woods and metal shops were located.

After the pool was closed at un unconfirmed date, the theatre department began using the space for storage, up until 2018 when black mold was discovered and the room was condemned.

The original library was located on the second floor above the main doors and was converted into a classroom after the band and orchestra moved to their current rooms behind the auditorium in the late 1980s.

This high school building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 for its architectural significance.

[6] Much of the 2014 silent film The Root of Evil was shot on location at the school, most notably outside the main entrance and in the basement of the building.

Repairs and minor renovations for smoke and water damage, in the auditorium, took place over that summer and were finished shortly after the next school year began.

[8] After passing a 2019 bond referendum, a citizens task force was established to plan the redevelopment of the OHS site.

The task force also recommended entry into a development agreement with Paul Warshauer of Grande Venues / FOHS LLC to explore potential redevelopment of the remainder of the building/complex.

A three part auction was held in September 2023, allowing the public to purchase equipment, furniture, and other items that were not used in the new building.

In November 2019, voters approved a $104 million bond referendum to build a new high school in the southeast corner of town.

Local business, Federated Insurance donated $20 million towards the cost of the new high school and to reduce the tax impact to the community.