[3] The school was built because of the growing population in the downtown community It was located at 25 Blake Street and became part of a 1960s project to provide higher quality education to African American students.
In 1962, the fighting panther was chosen as the school mascot and in 1963, Hedy Brown wrote the Alma Mater "Dear C. A. Brown”, sung to the tune of Londonderry Air (O Danny Boy).
The school facility was purchased in 1986 by the Trident Technical College for its Palmer Campus, which focused on culinary arts.
The school principals were Nathaniel L. Manigualt, George D. Stanyard, and John G. Singletary.
[5] Well-known artist Dorothy Wright also taught there, as did band leader George Kenny.