Reader pushes to save historic building

I recently asked a staff person of the Historic Landmarks Foundation for information concerning historical sites.

One of the most disturbing facts given to me was how the sites are deemed historical sites. I was informed that they are determined, in this city, by their locations. Only the downtown area of Jeffersonville has been determined as historical and anything outside of that area is not historical, regardless of the age of the building or usage, unless someone or a group pushes to have it listed as historical.

Taylor High School was built in 1872 as a four-room school and was called the City School for Colored. The high school — an addition — was designed and built in 1891. In 1949, the newest section was extended.

None of this matters because the school board sold the building to a private business. The owner has the right to allow the building to deteriorate and become a threat to the public passing by, therefore, making it possible to get permission to tear the building down.

The historical fact of the building seems to only matter to a few Caucasians and most African-Americans.

Should you ride by the school from the 10th Street side, look up at the roof. You will see that the tin roofing has been pulled away from the wood, which is now exposed to the elements — we have not had a windstorm to do this kind of damage. What kind of fools are we supposed to be?

The windows, at one time, were boarded up. Now boards have been taken down, windows are broken and the insides of the rooms are exposed.

When I first started the research of African-American history in Jeffersonville, all windows were boarded.

It is a sin and a shame to not have use for something and let it rot when you know there are people to put a vacant school to good use. I do believe the noncaring for the building is because the business people are not of Jeffersonville and only see its need of placing more storage tanks for their product.

It is my prayer that someone in the family business would come to the realization of the importance of the building to the community and join in partnership with the Taylor High Alumni Association group to have the building placed on the National Historic list.

— Theodora “Doddie” Ellis, Jeffersonville





Parade organizers looking for military personnel



The Jeffersonville Celebrating Freedom Parade will once again be held July 4. The grand marshals will be those soldiers who are in or have returned from combat duty this past year.

The soldiers give so much to our community and our nation; with this parade we are able to show our support. It is my hope that those families who are aware of returning military contact me, so that I can personally invite them to participate.

As chairman of the Jeffersonville Military Support Group, we have access to the names of some military personnel but we want to reach as many as possible. Please contact me at 502-641-2713 with information.

Thank you.

— Carol Sharp, chairman, Jeffersonville Military Support Group, English