Central High School yearbook - 1931 (Shelby Co TNGenWeb)

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Central High School - "The Chickasaw" (1931)

History of Central High School

Few of the students of Central High School and only a part of the faculty know the true and complete history of Central High School. This school which is dear to each of us, has a very real history.

As early as 1905, memphis felt the need of two high schools. Poplar Street School, then the only high school in the city, is now used for the offices of the Board of Education.

Due to the untiring efforts of Dr. E.A. Neely, chairman of the building and grounds committee of the Board of Education at that time, thirteen acres of ground were purchased for the new school on the corner of Bellevue and Linden. It is here that our own Central High School was built. Every thing in the new building was modern and up-to-date.

An excellent faculty was given to the school from the very first. Of those who came from the Poplar Street School we have still with us Miss Mahler and Mr. Ellis. From the Jefferson Street School came Miss Haszinger, Miss McGrath, Miss Thorburn, and Mr. Rolfe. Professor Nicholas Williams from Poplar street was the first principal, and Mr. Samuel Hixon of the Jefferson Street School was the assistant principal.

The formal opening of the school took place in September, 1911, although Poplar Street's June Class had held its graduation exercises in the new auditorium the previous spring.

Central High's first four year class graduated in June 1915.

During the years from 1911 until 1918, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hixon, Mr. W.S. Dugger, and Mr. E.E. Smith, held the positions of principals successively. In September, 1918, our own Mr. Jester became principal with Miss Anna Mahler and Mr. Rolfe as his assistants.

The student body had also increased by this time that an addition in the form of two rooms were built over the shop. By 1921 the large number of students made it necessary to use the Jefferson Street School as an annex and to add to C.H.S. a portable building containing eight class rooms. After a few years the latter two were abandoned.

In 1918, under the leadership of the late Col. A.S. Frost, military was established in Central. From the beginning it has played an important part among the school activities.

The good old Central High School spirit prevails in every branch of the school. Central High on the accredited list of schools, is known all through the south and indeed all over the country because of our students who have gone to the best colleges and universities to reflect renown and glory upon the name of Central High.

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