Central High School (original)

Central High School was initially named the "Hillsborough High School for Negroes"; the 12-room main structure was built in July 1936, on property purchased from Louis Wilson and George Mayo. Mr. C. E. Hester was the first principal, and the school initially served first through eleventh grades (and a "secret" kindergarten class was also taught in its library for awhile). The school's library also served the local black community as a public library. 

Hillsborough High School for Negroes' main building, 1936

"Graded School (Colored)," 1943 (Sanborn map)

Students, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

Students, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

Students, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

Teachers, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

Teachers, with Mr. Stanback on right, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

Teachers and students, 1939 (H. Lee Waters excerpt)

In 1942, teacher Albert L. Stanback became principal, and had the school renamed Central High School in 1943. In the early 1950s, the elementary school grade classes were moved from Central's campus to a new segregated county school (Cedar Grove Elementary) north of Hillsborough. 

1955 aerial (UNC)

1957 (Blue Flame / Central High School Yearbook, 1957)

1957

During the morning of February 14, 1958, Central High's main building burned down; students were schooled in a newly-built structure on the campus that was intended for junior high students.

In 1958, a brick $130,000, 1,000-seat gymnasium/auditorium ("gymtorium") was built, with its commencement on May 25th. The commencement sermon was given by Rev. J. R. Manley of Chapel Hill.

A new main classroom building was also built in 1958 where the burned school building stood. A second classroom building, a vocational building, and an agricultural and band building were built between 1959 and 1961. Archie Royal Davis was the architect for the various structures.

Today, the buildings are the location of Hillsborough Elementary School.