History of Central High School

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Shelby County Schools: Past & Present

History of Central High School (Memphis)

As recorded in "The Red Man Handbook for Central Warriors"
(Student Government, 1945)

In September, 1911, Central High School, an outgrowth of the Memphis High School, opened at the site which it still occupies on the southeast corner of Bellevue ad Linden. Members of the present (1945) faculty who came from Memphis High School to Central are Miss Haszinger and Miss McGrath. Mr. Nicholas Williams was the first principal, and Mr. Samuel Hixon the first assistant principal. During the years from 1911 to 1918, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hixon, Mr. W.S. Dugger and Mr. C.E. Smith successively held the office of principal. Our own Mr. Charles P. Jester became principal in 1918.

In 1918, during the influenza epidemic, the school was closed for a month and used as a hospital to relieve congestion in the crowded city hospitals; at this time many of the teachers served as Red Cross workers.

Also in 1918, as a result of the policy of the Federal Government in establishing R.O.T.C. units in schools and colleges throughout the country, such a unit was established at Central. The school was very active in World War work during the First World War. The faculty and students sold thousands of dollars worth of bonds both in the school and on the streets. They participated in all sorts of drives. Many distinguished guests visited Central during the war. A large Service Flag was kept on the stage, and for each one of "our boys" that died they changed a star to gold. our school paper was one of the few in the country that continued to be published throughout the war. In 1924 Central, the first city school to introduce student government, adapted its present system. The Sigma Lambda Chi Chapter of the National Honor Society was chartered at Central in 1932. Among the other organizations are the H Club, started in 1911; the Photoplay Club, in 1933; the Spanish Club, in 1941; and the Speech Club, in 1930.

In athletics Central boys have always been outstanding, especially in football, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, tennis and golf. Central students have also won many honors in other activities, such as music, art, speech, and debating. The annual Latin Tournament for Shelby County has drawn many contestants and numerous winners from Central have carried away top honors.

In recent years many improvements have been made at Central. Perhaps the most important of these is the adequate library. The Central Gardens Club has been responsible for the landscaping of the school campus and has each year planted flowers, shrubs, and trees, using for this purpose money obtained through the annual magazine drives. In 1939 at a cost of over $20,000 our building was brought up to date by installation of adequate lighting, new auditorium seats, and improved heating system.

February 1937, brought a sudden change in activities at Central. Because of the great flood, the school, for two weeks became a refugee camp. All desks were removed and over 1100 cots put in their places. Again teachers served as Red Cross workers. Many students volunteered their services.

A unique feature of Central is our plan for Book Store scholarships, begun in 1928. We have raised money not only to give scholarships each year, but also to establish a loan fund available to our graduates to help them continue in college.

During the thirty-one years of its existence thousands of students have graduated from Central High School. Each year a great majority of these graduates have entered universities and colleges in all parts of the United States. Many of them have been awarded scholarships because of their outstanding scholastic records at Central. Reports from the colleges indicate that those graduates, as well as the thousands of others who have entered the business world, are still doing good work, and living up to the ideals and integrity which they learned to value at Central high School.

In the year 1941, the Southern Association of Student Government, of which Central is the founder, held its annual convention i Memphis. Over 400 delegates from fourteen different states attended. The whole school pitched in and made the convention a great success. Distinguished speakers from all over the country came to Memphis to address the students.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Bookstore began to sell Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps as an aid in the national war effort, selling in the school terms of 1944-1945 alone over $80,000 worth of Bonds and Stamps. Collections were taken for the China Relief Fund and other worthy causes. As before, Central tried to do its part in the nation's ar effort. Many boys from the school entered the service. Central also took part in the registration of men and boys for the draft. School as dismissed two Mondays during the spring term and the teachers registered men that were eligible. When the Government started to ration sugar, the schools of the town were again called upon to aid. Central's faculty, aided by a few student government officers, worked until 9 o'clock rationing sugar to wholesalers and retailers.

In those and other emergencies Central has always made an effort to help out. Always have students been glad to cooperate with the faculty. It is for these reasons that we have one of the best rated school in the South. Let's all keep it that way.

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