Mr John Vernon was Rector of Palmerston North High School (now Palmerston North Boys' High School) from 1902 until his death in 1918, during the great Influenza epidemic. In 1908, he founded the College House boarding establishment, which is still a feature of the school.

The Public School, on the corner of Main and Duke (now Princess) Streets was built in 1872 and added to in 1879 and 1882. This school building was converted into the first Empire Hotel 1890-1895, after the school moved to Campbell Street, where it operated from 1890-1921, before moving to Featherston Street as Central (Normal) School.