11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Little Rock Central High School
Year Listed: 1996
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock's Central High School, a National Historic Landmark
Significance
In 1957 all eyes were on Little Rock's Central High when nine African-American students were escorted into the school by federal troops. Despite its grandeur and landmark status as the flagship high school in Little Rock, Central has not been immune from ravages suffered by many inner-city schools across the country. Urban flight, a declining neighborhood, heavy use, a dwindling tax base and resulting shrinking budgets had taken their toll on this historic site. A 1990s study ranked Central fifth among the city's five high schools in terms of negative building conditions and more than $6 million was required to make needed structural repairs and facility upgrades to allow the building properly serve as a high school.
