Archives Closed Schools A-C: California School

Last Address: 17th and Kentucky Streets

Year Opened: 1871

Year Closed: 1961

The school was named for its district, which extended from 12th Street West to 18th Street.  According to legend, the Louisville district was named California because pioneers on their way to California settled in this area for a time.  Alternatively, the name may have originated since the area was considered the "far west" of Louisville at one time.  The early curriculum included German since the local population was largely German.  The school was closed and merged with Phillis Wheatley School in 1961, moving to a new building on 17th Street.