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

Virginia Avenue Colored School

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

1. Virginia Avenue Colored School Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Virginia Avenue Colored School opened in 1923. It was constructed via a million-dollar bond the Louisville Board of Education used to acquire sites and build new structures. Samuel Plato, one of the country’s first African American architects, was the contractor. The school was at the center of community activities in the city’s Parkland neighborhood.

A young Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, lived less than a mile from Virginia Avenue Colored School at 3302 Grand Avenue. Ali attended the school between 1948-1954. The school was renamed Jessie R. Carter Elementary School in 1970 and was integrated in 1975. West End School, a private school for boys, opened at the site in 2005.

Erected 2019 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2593.)

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

Location. 38° 14.355′ N,

Virginia Avenue Colored School Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

2. Virginia Avenue Colored School Marker (Side B)

85° 48.871′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Virginia Avenue west of South 36th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3628 Virginia Avenue, Louisville KY 40211, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Little Africa" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Muhammad Ali's Home Site / "Education Brings Self-Respect" — Muhammad Ali (approx. 0.4 miles away); Home of Anne & Carl Braden / Civil Rights Landmark (approx. 0.7 miles away); Calvary Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Carl Braden Memorial Center / Home to Campaigns for Racial Justice (approx. 0.8 miles away); Samuel M. Plato, 1882-1957 (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort Southworth (approx. one mile away); I. Willis Cole, 1887-1950 / Home of I. Willis Cole (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Asset Detail | Virginia Avenue Colored School. National Register of Historic Places registration and photographs. (Submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Virginia Avenue Colored School Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

3. Virginia Avenue Colored School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 29 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.