Basic High School est. 1943

      Why are we BASIC? Around the time of World War II, factories started springing up past the outskirts of Las Vegas. Among these were Timet and Basic Management Industries. When the state decided to create a city for the workers of these businesses, the name decided upon was Basic. The newly-found Basic, NV needed a school for their children to attend and that's where our school came in and received the name of its city.

      The high school opened in October 1942 and had 242 students that year. The school graduated its first class in 1943 with 16 students.

      When the Basic Townsite Post Office was completed and dedicated in l944, the town of Basic was renamed Henderson after the late Senator Charles B. Henderson. Henderson is now the fastest growing city in America.

      Incorporated in 1953, the City of Henderson actually received its charter in 1965 from the Nevada State Legislature.

      What about that "B"? The large "B" on the River Mountains, which is visible from US95, was placed there by proud Basic High School students and is the third "B" to announce school pride. The first "B" was painted in lime, high on Black Mountain, by students from the original Basic High School. The second "B" was placed along the hillside behind the original school, which became Burkholder Middle School. Although the first two have now weathered and can barely be seen, Basic High School students still make an annual trip up the River Mountains with buckets of lime to keep the tradition alive.

June 28, 2004