Watkins Park in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Pearl High School
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
1. Pearl High School Marker
Named for Joshua F. Pearl, the city's first superintendent of schools, Pearl was established in 1883 as a grammar school for Negroes and was located on old South Summer Street. It became a high school in 1897 when grades 9 thru 11 were transferred from Meigs School. In 1917, the 12th grade was added and Pearl moved to 16th Ave. No. and Grant Street. In 1936, the school moved to this location.
(Reverse)
In 1966, the first year that the TSSAA was fully desegregated, Pearl's boys' basketball team won the state championship. Considered one of the leading Black academic high schools in America, Pearl was closed in 1983, as a result of court imposed busing. In 1986, this facility became the site of the Martin Luther King Magnet High School for Health Sciences and Engineering.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 147.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 36° 9.683′ N, 86° 48.01′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Watkins
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Fisk Jubliee Singers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Alfred Stieglitz Collection at Fisk University (about 400 feet away); Watkins Park (about 400 feet away); Blue Triangle YWCA (about 500 feet away); William Edmondson (approx. 0.2 miles away); First State Penitentiary (approx. ¼ mile away); Bethlehem Centers of Nashville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nashville Porter and Ale Brewery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
2. Pearl High School Marker
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
3. Pearl High School Marker
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
4. Pearl High School
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 2, 2023
5. The front of the former Pearl High School and current Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,317 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on January 27, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 5. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
