Built in 1929 Thomson High School, home to the Bulldogs, graduated its first class of 45 students in 1931, many of whom still call Thomson their home. After lightning struck the dome of the school on Augusts 5, 1938 it was completely destroyed. Undaunted, classes resumed in the gym and continued there until classrooms were rebuilt.. Legend has it that the Thomson High School football team helped to clean the bricks left by the razed building and that they later helped to build a wall with them surrounding the athletic field, now known as “The Brickyard”.