The Solway property was a colonial homestead sited in a 100 acres (0.40 km2) originally owned by the Donald family who had first settled the area in 1877.

The 80 acres (320,000 m2) adjacent to what would become Solway College were purchased by the Masterton A & P Society for a showground leaving some 18 acres (73,000 m2) planted in heritage trees – silver fir, deodar, spruce, larches, lime, weeping ash, cypress lawsoniana, photinia, juniper, Californian redwood and poplar.

1925 brought an infantile paralysis outbreak, and the rural location of the school did not protect it from scarlet fever as it swept through New Zealand in the late 1920s.

By comparison, however, the school appeared in reasonable shape: Dr Gibb, then chairman of the board of governors at Scots College commented at the time to principal Marion Thompson: "where ever did you get 50 boarders?

A period of major construction works commenced, despite a shortage of skilled tradesmen due to the Second World War.

The founding of the school in an old homestead rather than a purpose-built college, and the expanse of the grounds, meant that a number of new buildings were created stand-alone rather than attached to the main house.

A board of trustees administers the school and manages the teaching section in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

A public meeting was held, drawing people from all over New Zealand, resulting in a strong commitment from stakeholders for the school to remain open.