Archives Closed Schools Q-S: School #1

Other Name: Grammar School for Boys #1; Grammar School for Boys #2; Grammar School #5 for Girls; Center school house; Walnut school house

Last Address: Fifth and Walnut streets

Year Opened: 1830

Year Closed: 1852 circa

In September 1830, the first public school building in the Louisville Public School district was opened at the corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard.)  The property was purchased from James Guthrie and Edward Shippen for $2100. The building was capable of accommodating 700 to 800 pupils, according to an 1832 city directory. The plan of the building conformed to a high school building in New York City. This school succeeded the rented quarters at the Baptist Church at Fifth and Green streets.  Parts of the student population using the building were grouped  in separate grammar schools or classes for both boys and girls.  The school was closed and the property sold in the early 1850's when schools were reorganized following the adoption of the new city charter in Louisville in 1851.  Walnut Street Methodist Church later occupied the site.