Biography

Originally known as Union School (built in 1858); in 1870 the original building was structurally damaged in an earthquake; new school built on same site in 1880 named Kalamazoo High School. Fire destroyed the building in 1897, and a third and fourth building were eventually erected on the same site; became known as Central High School. In 1961 a second high school was built (Loy Norrix) and in 1972 a new Central High School building was constructed on Kalamazoo’s West Side; the original high school building is now referred to as Old Central High School and remains in community use.