Hail, Hail McKinley High We are loyal to you. For you we'll always do our best and always be true. We'll sing your praises high For you we'll do or die, So, here's a cheer for ole McKinley The school to us most dear. Historical Highlights THE BEGINNING Roots in an old wooden, unpainted building on Hickory Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1907-1908 under the leadership of the late Dr. J.M. Frazier, Sr. (Hickory Street School). Continuation as Baton Rouge Colored High School in 1913, with Dr. Frazier still at the helm. Erection of new, brick school, opening in 1926 on the corner of East Boulevard(now Thomas A. Delpit Drive) and Louise Street as McKinley High School (after the 25th President of the United States), with Dr. Frazier as principal. Oldest Public High School established for blacks in Louisiana. First black Public High School graduates in Louisiana, 1916 - Class of four. COMING OF AGE Dr. Frazier succeeded in 1942 (upon his retirement) by Mr. C.B. Piper, who served until 1945. Mr. Piper was succeeded by Mr. A.H. Jackson. Erection of new facility which opened in 1950 on the corner of McCalop and Louise Streets, known as McKinley Senior High School (later becoming McKinley Jr.-Sr. High School) with the original McKinley High structure becoming McKinley Junior High School (later becoming McKinley Elementary School). Mr. Jackson succeeded in 1958 (upon his retirement) by Mr. Julius M. Thomas, who served until 1970 (except for the year 1968-1969, when Mr. Robert D. West served as principal). Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools during Mr. Jackson's stewardship. Original McKinley High School facility entered into the National Historic Register November 16, 1981. NOW AN EDUCATIONAL LANDMARK, PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY Present structure opened August 30, 1962, with Mr. Julius M. Thomas still serving as principal. Mr. Thomas succeeded in 1970 by Mr. William B. Breda, who continues to serve as principal. Today, serving and educating students of all races and colors, of varying educational needs and aspirations, and continuing its pursuit of excellence. Well over 8,000 graduates, including those who have become doctors, lawyers, a judge, an ambassador, ministers, scientists, educators, opera singers, school boards members and other city, state and national elected or appointed officials, professional athletes, to name just a few of the avenues that McKinley graduates have traveled. First Public High School, to our knowledge, in the State of Louisiana, whose proud graduates have organized, under State Charter, as an Alumni Association - The McKinley High School Alumni Assoociation (December 1982). The McKinley High School Alma Mater was written by Mr. A.E. Carter, long-time music teacher at McKinley, who retired and lived in Baton Rouge until his death in 19xx. "..For you we'll always do our best..." I hope that you have enjoyed our home page. This is a joint effort with a friend, and we will be adding to it as we assemble information and new things. Please drop me a line with your comments, and suggestions for future additions. Click here to send me Email rhstewart@premier.net Created 8/24/97. Last modified 8/30/97 by RHS(rhstewart@premier.net) That's all folks...Ya'll come back now....See you again real soon..... This site is a work in progress...I will be adding other content on a weekly basis.
THE BEGINNING Roots in an old wooden, unpainted building on Hickory Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1907-1908 under the leadership of the late Dr. J.M. Frazier, Sr. (Hickory Street School). Continuation as Baton Rouge Colored High School in 1913, with Dr. Frazier still at the helm. Erection of new, brick school, opening in 1926 on the corner of East Boulevard(now Thomas A. Delpit Drive) and Louise Street as McKinley High School (after the 25th President of the United States), with Dr. Frazier as principal. Oldest Public High School established for blacks in Louisiana. First black Public High School graduates in Louisiana, 1916 - Class of four. COMING OF AGE Dr. Frazier succeeded in 1942 (upon his retirement) by Mr. C.B. Piper, who served until 1945. Mr. Piper was succeeded by Mr. A.H. Jackson. Erection of new facility which opened in 1950 on the corner of McCalop and Louise Streets, known as McKinley Senior High School (later becoming McKinley Jr.-Sr. High School) with the original McKinley High structure becoming McKinley Junior High School (later becoming McKinley Elementary School). Mr. Jackson succeeded in 1958 (upon his retirement) by Mr. Julius M. Thomas, who served until 1970 (except for the year 1968-1969, when Mr. Robert D. West served as principal). Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools during Mr. Jackson's stewardship. Original McKinley High School facility entered into the National Historic Register November 16, 1981. NOW AN EDUCATIONAL LANDMARK, PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY Present structure opened August 30, 1962, with Mr. Julius M. Thomas still serving as principal. Mr. Thomas succeeded in 1970 by Mr. William B. Breda, who continues to serve as principal. Today, serving and educating students of all races and colors, of varying educational needs and aspirations, and continuing its pursuit of excellence. Well over 8,000 graduates, including those who have become doctors, lawyers, a judge, an ambassador, ministers, scientists, educators, opera singers, school boards members and other city, state and national elected or appointed officials, professional athletes, to name just a few of the avenues that McKinley graduates have traveled. First Public High School, to our knowledge, in the State of Louisiana, whose proud graduates have organized, under State Charter, as an Alumni Association - The McKinley High School Alumni Assoociation (December 1982). The McKinley High School Alma Mater was written by Mr. A.E. Carter, long-time music teacher at McKinley, who retired and lived in Baton Rouge until his death in 19xx. "..For you we'll always do our best..."
I hope that you have enjoyed our home page. This is a joint effort with a friend, and we will be adding to it as we assemble information and new things.
Please drop me a line with your comments, and suggestions for future additions.