Simmons University

Historical marker location:

Louisville, Kentucky

( 1018 S. 7th Street, Louisville)

School proposed by Gen. Assoc. of Colored Baptists in Kentucky and chartered through legislature in 1873 as Ky. Normal and Theological Institute. Frankfort was the first site suggested but Assoc. selected Louisville. Charter amended in 1882, changing name to State Univ. Became Simmons Univ. in 1919 in honor of Wm. J. Simmons, eminent president from 1880 to 1890.

Reverse

Simmons University - By 1919 Simmons had grown from 3 to 10 departments, including Music, Theology, Law, Insurance, Social Service and Industrial Education. Medical School founded, 1888. First site at 7th and Kentucky sold to University of Louisville for Municipal College in 1930. Simmons moved to Dixie Highway, 1935, and to 1811 Dumesnil, 1949. Name changed to Simmons Univ. Bible College, 1967.

African American Baptist Church Schools University of Louisville Reconstruction Era