The westernmost building of the Henegar School Complex was built between 1919 and 1921, and the first high school graduating class finished on May 12, 1921, with 13 students. The building soon overflowed, and six "shacks" were built for surplus students. The high school building, the eastern building, was completed in 1926 and was designed by architect William Christen. Even that proved insufficient, and the "primary" building, now destroyed, was erected in 1928. When the complex began in 1921, Melbourne had two street lights, three churches, few houses, no paved streets, and one or two general stores.