Construction began on September 1, 1927 and the building finally opened on May 28, 1929. Colonel White was officially dedicated on February 14, 1930 as an elementary and junior high school. The original complex contained 25 class rooms, a gym, and a study hall, a cafeteria, music room, Manual Arts and Home Economics Rooms plus an auditorium. In 1940 junior high schools were discontinued and Colonel White and Fairview were paired to become Fairview-White High School. Students attended Colonel White for their 9th and 10th grade years and completed their high school education for all 11th and 12th graders at Fairview.

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In 1957 a new addition to the CW building permitted the school boundaries to be re-drawn, and Colonel White was transitioned into a four-year high school. As enrollment increased during the 1960’s more classroom space was added to house the growing student body. In 1968 another addition was added that wrapped around the front of the older building creating a look of a totally new building. The architect of the new building won an award for his new building design. However, this new addition eliminated the track and football practice field.