Orange Mound high school gets renovation, new use more than 40 years later

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — New life for an icon of a Memphis community.

After sitting vacant for more than four decades, the historic Melrose High School in Orange Mound is finally under renovation.

Earlier this year, the City of Memphis announced it was granted $3 million in funding for the redevelopment project.

It will transform the old school into a library, a genealogy center, and affordable housing for community seniors.

The funding was provided by Congressman Steve Cohen, as part of his vision to help rebuild the Memphis community.

“I think one of my favorite things about this community is when we get together, it’s like family,” Mario Bailey of Memphis said.

Neighbors who are like family. It’s how people describe Orange Mound, the first neighborhood in America that was built by and for African Americans.

“Some people probably don’t understand the culture around here, but that is just what we do around here. We try to bond and build,” Bailey said.

In the center of the community on Dallas St., you’ll find the old Melrose High School.

It once stood as a symbol of pride. But now, the halls and classrooms have sat empty for more than 40 years.

“I feel real bad about it, because it has a lot of history down at the old Melrose. And for it to sit as long as it did, it just kind of ran the community down,” Ralph Fleming, who attended the school, said.

The old Melrose school opened in 1914 and once stood as a symbol of pride in the Orange Mound community.

Since its closure in 1979, community members have been trying to find a way to open it back up.

“I think it’s great, because this area needs something for the younger generation to do rather than just run in the streets,” Fleming said.

For Fleming, it means the school he attended will remain a jewel in the community he loves the most.

“Overall, I wouldn’t trade this for nothing in the world,” he said. “I like Orange Mound.”

Redevelopment of the school is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.

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