Jeffersonville Colored High School

Jeffersonville Colored High School was built in 1891 to educate Clark County’s African American students from grades 1 to 12.[1] The building included 10 classrooms, and separate entrances and stairways for girls and boys. The building lacked indoor plumbing, central heating, and a gymnasium, all of which were typically found in neighboring schools serving white students. Flora Clipper, who attended the school from 1936 to 1940, recounted her time at the school. “We had no kind of gyms, we had no kind of extracurriculars… We were always very unhappy about the condition of the segregated schools… We wanted an education equal… to the white schools.”[2] The school was renamed Taylor High School in 1924 after Robert Taylor who served as principal of Jeffersonville Colored School for 40 years.

The building was remodeled in 1949. [3] In June of 1951, 14 students graduated from Taylor High School. The students were honored guests at a Sunday service at Trinity Baptist Church before their Tuesday commencement. Reverend L.F. Burton preached to the graduates, parents, and friends on the principles of right living. “Every student of this class should keep his eye on the stars by striving to be as perfect as possible. As you go through life you should never lose sight of your ultimate aim."[4] Corden Porter, Taylor High School teacher and principal since 1928, was master of ceremonies at commencement exercises, held at the local fieldhouse.

Indiana banned segregated schools in 1949, and in 1952 Taylor School was officially desegregated.[5] It was renamed the Wall Street School.[6] However, even after official desegregation, African American students found that there was still discrimination. African American students were often ignored in the classroom, and were discouraged from participating in extracurricular activities. African American students were not allowed to play sports at Taylor High until 1955.[7]

After desegregation, African American teachers at Taylor High School were also discriminated against. The non-tenured African American teachers were fired and the tenured teachers were given two options: they could accept reassignment to non-teaching jobs or they could quit. With the loss of their former teachers, African American students lost important role models and mentors.[8] Even Principal Porter was reassigned. According to the Indianapolis Recorder, the “integration of the schools at Jeffersonville created a new position in the Jeffersonville Schools, and Mr. Porter was appointed to assist in the keeping of records in the superintendent's and high school principal’s offices."[9]
At the end of the 1950s, the Wall Street School closed. In 2009, a historical marker was erected by the Taylor High School Alumni Association, Inc. in front of the school building. The historical marker honored former principals Robert Taylor and Corden Porter. The building is still in good condition, and is privately owned.

[1] “Taylor High School.” Indiana Historical Bureau: Historic Marker. Jeffersonville, IN. 2009.
[2] Reel, Greta. “The History and Legacy of Jeffersonville's Taylor High School,” May 12, 2020. Accessed August 31,2020. https://thehyphennews.com/2020/05/12/taylor-high-school-jeffersonville/
[3] Indiana Historical Society. “Jeffersonville (Town).” Early Black Settlements by County. Accessed August 31, 2020. https://indianahistory.org/research/research-materials/early-black-settlements/early-black-settlements-by-county/
[4] “14 Students in Taylor Hi Class, Jeffersonville.” The Indianapolis Recorder. June 2, 1951 (pg. 5).Accessed August 31, 2020.
https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19510602-01.1.5&srpos=1&e=------195-en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22Taylor+High+School%22------
[5] Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology.“Jeffersonville Colored School Supporting Documentation.” Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey: Structures.
[6] “Taylor High School.” Indiana Historical Bureau: Historic Marker. Jeffersonville, IN. 2009.
[7] Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. “Jeffersonville Colored School Supporting Documentation.” Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey: Structures.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Blaha, Paula. The Indianapolis Recorder. November 1, 1952 (pg. 7).Accessed August 31, 2020. https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19521101-01.1.7&srpos=3&e=------195-en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22Taylor+High+School%22------

Student Author: Molly Hollcraft
Faculty/Staff Editors: Dr. Ronald V. Morris, Dr. Kevin C. Nolan, and Christine Thompson
Graduate Assistant Researchers: Carrie Vachon and JB Bilbrey

PHOTO & VIDEO:
Courtesy Indiana Landmarks https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2021/04/historic-schools-provide-ties-to-african-american-experience/