remained in service mainly for grades K–7 until 1953, when it was closed after the completion of a new Central Elementary School on the same property. It was razed in 1954. Because of Kent High School's location in what became known as the Central School by the late 19th century, the school is often referred to contemporarily and historically as Kent Central High or simply as Central High. First campus, 1922–1959 Increases in enrollment throughout the 1910s led the school board to request funds to build a new high school building along with additions to other district buildings to ease overcrowding and prepare for expected growth in enrollment. A bond issue for the various construction projects was approved by voters June 24, 1919. Initially, the school board had planned to build the school on property along South Water Street adjacent to downtown, but decided against this citing the need for a larger lot and building to accommodate expected growth. Eventually, a site at the intersection of Park Avenue and North Prospect Street was purchased and construction began May 31, 1921. It was completed less than a year later, on May 22, 1922, and hosted commencement exercises for the graduating class in June. The four-story building cost $400,000 (approximately $ present-day) and contained a gymnasium with seating for 300, an 833-seat auditorium, and 27 classrooms. Later that year, in August, the Kent School Board adopted a resolution to name the building after former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. The first classes were held in the building September 6, 1922 and it was dedicated September 22. By then, the high school enrollment had grown to approximately 400 students. In the late 1930s, a separate annex was built behind the building to house industrial arts classes. The North Prospect Street building served as the high school until 1959, when Roosevelt was relocated to a new building and campus along North Mantua Street in northern Kent. The building on North Prospect street was rededicated in 1959 as Davey Junior High School after the local Davey family and served as the junior high school for grades 7–9. It was later renamed Davey Middle School and housed grades 6–8. At the conclusion of the 1998–1999 school year, the building was closed for an extensive renovation, and reopened in 2000 as Davey Elementary School. North Mantua campus, since 1959 Further growth in Kent during the 1950s spurred discussion