Central High School Grounds Improvement

In 1909, one of the first high schools in Memphis, TN, Memphis High School was built. Shortly thereafter, Memphis High School was renamed Central High School. Because it was “the high school” in Memphis, the letter “H” became the school letter and is still used today.  However, over the years the grounds of this iconic Memphis institution have been neglected!  If you drive by Central (THE) High School today you would be hard pressed to imagine the wonderful education young Memphians of all races and socioeconomic classes are receiving within the walls.  

This project is about improving the grounds of this building situated in the middle of midtown Memphis.  The land on which the school is located was purchased in 1908 from the family of John T. Overton.  Construction on the Jacobean Revival style building began in 1909 and was completed in 1913 at a cost of $336,072.  Renovations to the building were completed in 1968 and 2007 but the grounds need work!

This first phase of the Central High School grounds renovation will have professionals preparing the soil, suppling and installing new plants, and adaptively re-using some existing plant materials in this area. Once the materials have been purchased the installation of the new beds and schrubs can begin immediately.  The positive synergy which will be created by this project and the future longer term vision which the stake holders share, hopefully will allow the facility to transition from an exterior of an unloved inner city school to a more vibrant exterior which truly reflects the quality education and learning going on inside.

Central (THE) High School is an iconic building in midtown Memphis.  We have already partnered with local landscape businessman, Greg Touliatos, to determine these first steps in renovating the grounds and are excited to get started.  The Green Club at the high school is very involved in the project and local alumni are very supportive.  This is just the first step in a larger project focused on overhauling the school grounds.  

As a thriving public school in Memphis which serves students of varying races and socioeconomic levels Central is an important symbol if the continued success of Shelby County Schools.  With Central's rich heritage serving the Memphis community this project seeks to bring the grounds of this 107 year old institution up to the level of its academic performance.