Visiting Little Rock Central High School

In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was desegregated by nine African-American students. The students met much resistance and violence but they persevered. This Kwakara2 writer thanks them for their efforts since she is a graduate of Central.

Central is now a National Historic Site with a museum and visitors center. (If you look closely, you'll find this Kwakara2 writer's picture one one of the monuments!) Central is a 'must-see'. When it was built in 1927, it was the largest high school in the country. Official letterhead still proclaims it "The most beautiful high school in America."

The museum has done an excellent job recording the progress of civil rights in education in Little Rock. You'll learn about Sue Cowan Williams, a black teacher who sued the Little Rock School District to demand equal pay for black teachers. With Thurgood Marshall as her attorney, she won. Soon there will even be a commemorative coin minted to recognize the "50th anniversary of the desegregation of the Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas."

This writer is honored to have spent three years at Central. I'm certain you'll enjoy an afternoon there. So be sure to check out the Tigers of LRCH on your trip to Little Rock, and learn some history while you're at it!

Hail to the old gold
Hail to the black
Hail alma mater
naught does she lack
We love no other
so let our motto be
VICTORY
Little Rock Central High!