Brief History Of CHS (as we knew it)

Charleston High School (as we knew it) was built in 1926, due to over-crowding in previous buildings.  It was called, "the big school."  Even "the big school" became over-crowded during the late 30's, so Stonewall Jackson High School was built in 1940, to accommodate the students on the west side of Charleston.

As baby boom years continued, the need arose for another high school.  In 1965, George Washington High School was built, to accommodate the students in South Hills and Loudendale.  In 1965, the CHS students would attend classes during the morning hours and the GWHS students would attend classes during the afternoon hours, both using the same CHS building.  It made for a VERY short school day for CHS students, with 6 periods from 8 a.m. to noon.

During the 80's, the student populations at CHS and SJHS dropped.  In 1989 Capital High School opened, combining the students of these two former rival schools.  This ended a 49 year rivalry.

Charleston High School was torn down in mid 1989.  Stonewall Jackson High School became a junior high school.

1926 to 1989

This was CHS as we knew it.  This building opened in 1926, with 45 teachers and 924 students.  It was designed to accommodate 1600 students, but often had more.  Prior to construction of Stonewall Jackson High School (1940) on the west side, CHS' population was almost 3000.

This view of CHS was the main entrance on Washington Street East.  The photographer is standing about where Kourey's Sweet Shop, or possibly the Coffee Shop used to be.

This is a closer look at the main entrance, on Washington Street East

A view of CHS, taken from the corner of Lee and Brooks Streets

This picture was taken from the stage, in the main auditorium, during an assembly.

This was the stage in the auditorium.  This photo was taken in 1967, at the end of the musical, "Bye Bye Birdie"

Did you like these pictures.  You'll LOVE the pictures HERE

1916 to 1925

This previous Charleston High School was located on the corner of Quarrier Street and Morris Street.  It later became Thomas Jefferson Junior High School (1925 to 1978), when the new CHS was built on the boundary streets of Washington Street East, Brooks Street, and Lee Street East.  The new building was only 3 blocks from the old one.  The students from TJJHS would walk to CHS and eat lunch in the cafeteria, prior to CHS' lunch break.

Mercer School #2

There were three Mercer Schools.  Mercer Academy was built in 1818 on Quarrier and Hale Streets.  This is a picture of the second Mercer School, constructed in 1888, on the site of "Our CHS".   This building was used as a high school from 1888 to 1890, and then as a grade school from 1890 to 1903.   The date of demolition is unknown.  The Third Mercer school was built on Quarrier Street in 1903.

1892 to 1915

Mercer School #3

Charleston High School was moved from it's first location at Union School.  This was the first building constructed for the purpose of housing CHS, on Quarrier Street, in 1904.   In 1890, the high school was moved to the Mercer School building on Washington Street East and this building then housed Central Junior High School,  Mercer Grade School, and the Board of Education.  In 1970 it became a parking lot.

From 1876 to 1890, Union School was the first location that housed Kanawha County High School. With one principal, two teachers, and about 25 students, the first graduating class consisted of two women. Union School again temporarily housed Kanawha County High School in 1903.