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Little Rock Senior High
School was built in 1927 at a
cost of $1.5 million, a grand sum in those days. In fact,
the New York Times wrote that it was the most expensive
school building ever constructed in the United States. It
was the largest high school in the nation and remained the
largest until late in the 1940s.
The National Association of Architects named it "the most
beautiful high school building in America" and it is the
only school to ever hold that title from the NAA.
In 1977, Little Rock Central High School's main building was
accepted by the United States Department of the Interior and
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1982,
the Department of the Interior designated the building as a
National Historic Landmark.
View the Building and
Campus with QTVR
Take a panoramic view of the
Central High School building and campus using Quick Time
Virtual Reality (QTVR).
If you have never used or downloaded the QTVR
plugin, do so now. Then
return and explore the:
 Birthday Party is September 27,
1997
On September 27, 1997, there
will be a giant birthday party on the grounds of the school
at 14th and Park from 1 until 3 p.m. A birthday cake in the
shape of the school will be cut. Central graduates and their
families are invited to stop by and sign the birthday book.
Entertainment will be provided and tours of the school will
be available.
The Facts About
Central High School:
- The school building sits
on a four-square-block campus. Behind it is Quigley
Stadium, practice fields, tennis courts and a
gymnasium.
- Central High School's main
building is 564 feet long and 365 feet wide. It stretches
two city blocks across. Inside, there are 100 classrooms
and an auditorium that seats 2,000.
- The architects were proud
to design the building so all classrooms had outside
light.
- The stage of the
auditorium actually served as the school's gymnasium
initially, with a basketball floor 60 feet by 160
feet.
- The cafeteria seats
910.
- At the time, the library
had 11,000 volumes. A new and greatly expanded
library-media center was added in 1967 and named the Jess
W. Matthews Library, in honor of the school's principal
from 1945 to 1965. Today, the library still is considered
one of the nation's most modern.
- Four heroic granite
statues of Greek goddesses stand over the school's
entrance. They represent Ambition, Personality,
Opportunity and Preparation.
- It was so complete that
Little Rock Senior High School prepared students for both
college preparatory work and for vocational-technical
jobs. Two years of junior college work were taught. There
were also an auto mechanics shop, print shop, electric
and plumbing shop, woodworking room drawing and drafting
room, commercial secretarial and accounting rooms,
homemaking, music, art and physical training and health
work facilities. A greenhouse was available for biology
and other science work.
- Even in 1927, 53% of all
students graduating from Little Rock Senior High School
went on to attend college.
- In recent years,
impressive renovations include one of the nation's most
modern instrumental music facilities, a vocal musical
center, a guidance center and a business education
facility.
- The field house was
completed in 1951.
- A two-year renovation
program costing $5.2 million was completed in October,
1981.
- Today, with its 70th
birthday celebration being planned, the Central High
School faces still more major needs to upgrade and save
this mighty and historic building. Another $3 to $6
million is needed to do this.
- In 1927, the grand opening
booklet given to visitors of the school proudly said the
building was "The Pride of The City and The State."
- In its dedication, the
book noted:
- "To Boys and Girls-The Men
and Women of a Great Tomorrow-This Building Is
Dedicated."
- Little did those attending
the opening in 1927 know that in 1957-30 years after it
opened-the "most beautiful high school building in
America" would also become the most famous high school in
America, too.
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