Former Pike black school named Kentucky Landmark
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-EXPRESS
May 25, 2007

The former Perry A. Cline School, now the WestCare Kentucky Perry A. Cline Emergency Homeless Shelter, has been declared a Kentucky Landmark by the Kentucky Heritage Council.

The school was built by the WPA in 1937, educating the black students of Pike County until integration took place in 1956. The school offered grades 1-12, in addition to a preschool. Instruction in trades such as carpentry and bricklaying was also provided.

In 1944, under the leadership of Principal W.R. Cummings, the Perry A. Cline School was named the state's “most progressive school” by the Kentucky Negro Education Association. Students and teachers were very active in the local community.

After its closure in 1966, the school served as the Pikeville Housing Authority, senior center and community center until being converted into a homeless shelter in 1992. WestCare has managed the shelter since April 2006.

The shelter will be formally dedicated as a Kentucky Landmark on June 3 at the shelter at 3 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Ralph Wilson, a distinguished alumnus of the school and the first African-American individual to enter Marquette University on a basketball scholarship, will be the keynote speaker.

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