Millington in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Millington Central High School
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
1. Millington Central High School Marker
Inscription.
Millington Central High School. . Soon after Millington was founded in the 1870's, a reading school was established in a wood-frame structure on this site by the Shelby County Board of Education. In the 1890's the school was organized into grades and by 1911 two students received twelfth-grade diplomas. Through the State of Tennessee Education Act of 1913, the school became Millington Central High School, or "MCHS". A 1907 brick structure was razed in 1916 and a brick and terracotta "Beaux Arts" style edifice was erected. In 1918 MCHS became the first high school in Memphis or Shelby County to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As transportation developed, MCHS was named the consolidated school for the area and continues to serve grades 9 through 12. Always supportive of school needs, the community, led by the Rotary Club, in 1947 funded the first lighted high school football field in West Tennessee. William L. Osteen, affectionately known as "Mr. Bill," served as principal from 1940 until 1971 and as president of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association from 1959 until 1971. Widely known and deeply respected for his firm but fair discipline and high standards of sportsmanship, he guided the school through wars, expansion, and racial integration with a commitment to excellence and integrity.
Soon after Millington was founded in the 1870's, a reading school was established in a wood-frame structure on this site by the Shelby County Board of Education. In the 1890's the school was organized into grades and by 1911 two students received twelfth-grade diplomas. Through the State of Tennessee Education Act of 1913, the school became Millington Central High School, or "MCHS". A 1907 brick structure was razed in 1916 and a brick and terracotta "Beaux Arts" style edifice was erected. In 1918 MCHS became the first high school in Memphis or Shelby County to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As transportation developed, MCHS was named the consolidated school for the area and continues to serve grades 9 through 12. Always supportive of school needs, the community, led by the Rotary Club, in 1947 funded the first lighted high school football field in West Tennessee. William L. Osteen, affectionately known as "Mr. Bill," served as principal from 1940 until 1971 and as president of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association from 1959 until 1971. Widely known and deeply respected for his firm but fair discipline and high standards of sportsmanship, he guided the school through wars, expansion, and racial integration with a commitment to excellence and integrity.
Erected
Click or scan to see this page online
2003 by Shelby County Historical Commission and Millington Central High School Class of 1953.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 35° 20.773′ N, 89° 53.69′ W. Marker is in Millington, Tennessee, in Shelby County. Marker is on Wilkinsville Road just north of School Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8057 Wilkinsville Road, Millington TN 38053, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
2. Millington Central High School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
