AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUILDING REVIVAL
Central Memorial High School
Washington Parish
Central Memorial High School has deep roots in this area. The first known principal of the school was Professor W. H. Young, and the first teachers were Miss Alice Smith and Miss Alice Lang. The first Central School building was by Avenues “U “and “T” in Bogalusa. The original wooden structure contained four large rooms, 48 feet by 50 feet, and accommodated students in grades 1-7. In 1945, under the leadership of Principal A. L. Jordan, a second school was built, and the name adjusted to Central Memorial High School to pay tribute to veterans of World War II. It was built under the supervision of the Bogalusa School Board. In 1954, a new Central Memorial High School building was constructed at 1403 North Avenue, a street which would later be renamed “Spartans Avenue” in honor of CMHS’s students. This two-building campus consisted of 22 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, administrative offices, and a gymnasium. Around 1956, a new auditorium was built to seat 621 people, and this became the third building on the campus. Central Memorial High School was one of the first schools accredited by the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. In 1965 with integration, the high school became Central Elementary School, which is still in operation today.
Central Memorial High School
OPENED: 1954
CLOSED: N/A
OTHER NAMES OF SCHOOL: Central Elementary School
OTHER USES/CURRENT USE: Elementary school
1420 Spartans Avenue
Bogalusa, LA 70427
