Eckstein Norton Institute

Eckstein Norton Institute
Location
Cane Spring (now Lotus), Bullitt County, Kentucky, U.S.
Coordinates	37°55′21″N85°34′50″W / 37.922473°N 85.580510°W / 37.922473; -85.580510
Information
Other name	Eckstein Norton University
School type	Private Vocational African American
Established	1890
Founders	William J. Simmons Charles H. Parrish

Eckstein Norton Institute was a private vocational school for African American students founded in 1890 in the rural town of Cane Spring (now Lotus) in Bullitt County, Kentucky, 30 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky. ^[1] It was also known as Eckstein Norton University.

History

Dr. William J. Simmons and the Rev. Charles H. Parrish helped organized the school. ^{[2] [3]} In 1890, the school opened as Eckstein Norton Institute, named for donor Eckstein Norton (1831–1893), the president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. ^[3] In the first year of operations William J. Simmons died, and Charles H. Parrish assumed the role of principal. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

It was located in the rural town of Cane Spring (sometimes written as Cane Springs; now Lotus) in Bullitt County, Kentucky, 30 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky. ^{[7] [4] [8]} The 75 acres (30 ha) campus was near the Cane Springs Depot on the railroad line from Bardstown Junction running eastward. It had a brick main building with twenty-five rooms, five frame buildings with twenty rooms for dormitories and assembly halls, a printing office, and a laundry and blacksmith shop. ^{[3] [9] [10]}

Teacher Harriet Gibbs Marshall ran the music program at the school, and Mary Virginia Cook Parrish taught Latin and mathematics. ^[3] Eckstein Norton Institute was known for their music conservatory, and it was the first music program in the United States led by Black teachers. ^{[4] [11]}

Closure and historical marker

"The accommodations are not adequate to the demands upon them," reported the Courier-Journal in 1902. ^[3] It merged in 1912, with Lincoln Institute in Simpsonville, Kentucky. ^{[3] [4]}

In 2024, the former campus property was rediscovered, and a Kentucky State Highway Marker was added. ^{[7] [12] [13]}

References

1. "Historic marker honors Eckstein Norton University's legacy in Bullitt County". WDRB . October 19, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
2. Dunn, Sam (2024). ""The Only Prize Worth Contending For": Two African American Educators and the Establishment of Eckstein Norton University". Ohio Valley History. 24 (1): 3–16. ISSN   2377-0600.
3. "Bullitt Memories: Eckstein Norton Institute" . The Courier-Journal . February 21, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
4. "Eckstein Norton Institute". The Courier-Journal . February 12, 2009. pp. B5. Retrieved July 13, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
5. "Eckstein Norton Institute To Keep "Simmon's Day"". The Courier-Journal . April 19, 1908. p. 14. Retrieved July 13, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Bitter Contest". The Courier-Journal . December 4, 1905. p. 2. Retrieved July 13, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Eckstein Norton University". Bullitt County Historical Markers. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
8. "Colored Colleges". Lexington Herald-Leader . April 21, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
9. "Colored Students Build Dormitory". The Louisville Herald . November 21, 1907. p. 5. Retrieved July 13, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
10. "Rural Trade School". The Afro-American. February 27, 1909. p. 3. Retrieved July 13, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Eckstein-Norton Institute Musical Company". Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA). Retrieved July 13, 2025.
12. Thomas, Stephen (October 24, 2024). "Discovering a part of history: Family uncovers site of former college facility". PMG-KY1.com The Pioneer News. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
13. "Historical marker being dedicated to Eckstein Norton University". whas11.com. October 18, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.

External links

• School image, from NYPL