Coleman High School 1915 to 1971
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
Great changes have taken place in the educational circles of Arkansas during the past thirty-five years. Caught in the stream of changing events has been the Jefferson County High School. Thirty-five years ago only one with a prophetic mind could have envisioned the possibilities of this present day institution.
In the western part of the city on West Seventh Street was located a very crude and rough building used for a cheap dance hall. Later the building was sold to school district No. 24 to be used as an elementary school building called the Hall School
Conditions were very discouraging when a young man, a graduate of Rust College, in Holly Springs, Mississippi was named principal of the school. C. P. Coleman was a young, dynamic and hard working man. When Mr Coleman assumed his duties he was both principal and faculty. A few years later, Mrs. Bessie Hale Barnett became his first assistant.
Today, the school is situated on West 13th street with a campus comprising 10 acres. There are several buildings including: a $ 30,000 high school building, a nine room elementary building, two units used for primary centers, a Home Economics building, the only gymnasium for Negro high school girls and boys in Jefferson County. The faculty consists of twenty-three persons. The enrollment has increased from 50 pupils in 1915 to 900 in 1950.
The school term 1950-51 will see the high school classes housed in a modern fireproof brick building that is under construction on a 5-acre tract adjacent to the old campus. The building will also include a library and science building.
*Taken from the 1950 yearbook.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW MEDIA FOR THIS SITE AND WELCOME YOUR HELP.
