CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL is the oldest free public high school in continuous operation west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was established in 1854 as EVANSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. In 1918 the name was changed to CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL when another high school was built.
The announcement of the opening of the school,which is now Central High School, is found in the Evansville Journal for August 15, 1854. The opening date of the free public high school, which in now Central, was September 4, 1854.
Evansville High School opened on September 4, 1854 with an enrollment of 17 students - 8 boys and 9 girls. The school started on a quarter system with new students entering the high school in January of 1855. The report at the end of the year states that the High School had a year-end enrollment of about 30. In order to graduate or move to the next level a student had to pass a very stringent final examination. A teacher did not give an easy exam for fear that it would reflect poorly on them as a teacher.
The City Directory of 1858 contains the first printed list of subjects taught in the high school.
During 1896-97 the north and south wings and Central Tower is erected at the Sixth and Vine site. The tower becomes the symbol of Evansville High School.
The first Senior Yearbook, entitled THE ANNUAL, was published in1909. The second Senior Yearbook, entitled THE SAGAS, was published in 1912.