Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Simmons University

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. Simmons University Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

School proposed by Gen. Assoc. of Colored Baptists in Kentucky and chartered through legislature in 1873 as Ky. Normal and Theological Institute. Frankfort was the first site suggested but Assoc. selected Louisville. Charter amended in 1882, changing name to State Univ. Became Simmons Univ. in 1919 in honor of Wm. J. Simmons, eminent president from 1880-1890.

By 1919 Simmons had grown from 3 to 10 departments, including Music, Theology, Law, Insurance, Social Service and Industrial Education. Medical School founded, 1888. First site at 7th and Kentucky sold to University of Louisville for Municipal College. Simmons moved to 1811 Dumesnil. In 2007, under leadership of Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby (13th pres.), school returned to original campus.

Erected 2010 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1661.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list.

Location.

Simmons University Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. Simmons University Marker (Side B)

38° 14.364′ N, 85° 45.875′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. Marker is on South 7th Street north of Zane Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1018 South 7th Street, Louisville KY 40203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Noted School Site (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seelbach-Parrish House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Presentation Academy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Immanuel Baptist Church / First Christian-Lampton Baptist (approx. 0.4 miles away); Columbia Gym (approx. 0.4 miles away); Calvary Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Unitarian Church (approx. half a mile away); Murray Atkins Walls Civil Rights Pioneer (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Simmons History. From school website. (Submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Simmons University Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. Simmons University Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 28 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.