Our Growth. Our Story. Our Impact. is a web series highlighting the rich history of Grand Rapids Public Schools.
A century ago, Polar Bears were spotted in the North End—not the animals, but the nickname of a local high school mascot. The story begins with the opening of a new school in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood.
In the early 20th century, Creston residents lobbied the Board of Education for a high school to serve their rapidly growing population. After years of effort, the Board approved the project in 1921. Construction began in 1922, and Creston High School opened its doors in the fall of 1923, initially welcoming 150 junior high students.
Somewhere between its opening and the first graduating class in 1927, the school adopted the nickname "Polar Bears." Or did it? There’s no definitive record of where the name originated. The first known reference appeared in a Grand Rapids Press sports report in late 1926, but the name didn’t gain traction until 1929, when the school’s yearbook featured a polar bear on its cover and the basketball team debuted uniforms adorned with a Polar Bear logo.
So, what’s the story behind the nickname? As far as anyone can tell, there are two plausible explanations. One is geographical: Creston was the northernmost school in the district at the time, and "Polar Bear" was already a popular name in the area, used by local businesses and even a bowling team. The other theory is historical: the nickname may have been inspired by the "Polar Bears," a World War I expeditionary force that included the 85th Infantry, largely composed of draftees from Grand Rapids. This group fought in the frozen expanses of northern Russia during the war.
Over time, the Polar Bears became a cherished part of Creston High School's identity. The name endured until the school was repurposed in 2013 as City Middle-High School, adopting a new mascot: Pegasus.
Article by GF Korreck
Sources: Name it Creston: How the neighborhood got is name, TheRapidian, July 12, 2012; School Housing To Be Discussed At Tuesday Meet, The Grand Rapids Press, November 12, 1921, page 1; Creston Only Winner Among Local Quintets, The Grand Rapids Press, December 20, 1926, page 31; The Daily Mining Gazette, November 29, 2024;
Images: Courtesy of the Grand Rapids History Center
