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Memphis Technical High School
Our city's FIRST high school
Tech High began in
1878 as "Hope Night School." It was a private
school for boys who had been orphaned by the war
between the states and the Yellow Fever epidemic.
It operated from a building on Main Street and
became part of the public school system when the
system was chartered in 1892. As the school grew, it changed locations numerous time, but
always remained in the downtown area. By 1911 the school
was called The Memphis Vocational High School and
had 72 students in grades 7 to 10.
1917-1928
317 Poplar Avenue
In 1917, the high school moved
to 317 Poplar Avenue, the southwest corner of Poplar
and what is now Danny Thomas. On that spot,
the school occupied the building below
for 12 years:

In 1918, the name was
changed to Crocket Technical High School.
However, as the title on the penny postcard below
demonstrates, it was the city's first and only
public high school at the time:

After the high school
moved to its final location in September 1928, the
building above housed the Memphis Board of
Education. It has since been torn down.
1928-1987
1266 Poplar Avenue
(click photos
to enlarge)Original
Architectural Drawing of Memphis Technical High
School


The school's gates
originally included stone lions that were later
moved to the entrance of the
Memphis Zoo:

Sophomore Girls 1949
(click to enlarge)

Early 1960s

Tech High School
closed in 1987. The facility is still operated
by the Memphis City Schools as The Pyramid School,
serving children who are unable to function in a
regular school environment.
Current Photos
(click photos
to enlarge)




Photos courtesy of
Gene Gill, Class of 51
Google Map / Satellite Image
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Alumni Websites
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Tech High School Alumni Website
Including yearbook photos of every Tech
High graduate from 1922-1987, reunion
photos, news, obituaries, and teacher info &
photos. |

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