Historical Marker

Central High School

Historical marker location:

Louisville, Kentucky

( Central High School, 1130 W Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY)

In 1873, Central Colored School opened as a primary school for African American children. In 1882, secondary grades were added and Central Colored High School opened. In 1945, its name changed to Central High School. Until 1975, when court-ordered busing began, it was the only predominately African American public high school in the city.

Reverse

Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, graduated from Central High School in 1960, the same year he won an Olympic gold medal in Rome. Ali would run alongside the city bus, which transported students, and race it to school. Other notable alumni from Central High School include Elmer Lucille Allen, Alberta O. Jones, and Lenny Lyles. Dedicated October 24, 2019.