The Gosnell school system was started prior to 1927. One of the earliest Superintendents, C.F. Cooper, oversaw most of the early growth of the school and the addition of a high school curriculum by 1930.[4] By 1940, the school system had begun construction on their first gymnasium, and were on track to be the second or third school system in Mississippi County to have such a building.[5]
In 1946, after the end of World War 2 and the closure of the neighboring Blytheville Army Airfield, the district moved its high school and most of its elementary school body to the former base's officer's club building. By 1953, the U.S. Air Force was looking to reactivate the facility as a permanent military instillation and the district worked to move the school back to the old campus. Federal funding was used to help with the construction of new buildings.[6]
On September 4, 1962, the district desegregated its schools. Twelve black students, who were previously bussed to a school in Blytheville, were allowed to attend Gosnell schools.[7]
