(06-19-2022 02:52 PM)tigerich Wrote:  St Mary's church in above picture had a school next to it that you can barely see. Located at third and market across the sreet from Christine school. We used to wave at each other when we were on safety patrol duty. Had a lot of friends that went to Holy Names also.

Christine-Market-Smith School, Market Ave. & 3rd St., Memphis TN - Circa 1964

Built in 1872, the school at the corner of Market and 3rd was the first brick public school in Memphis, TN. Called the Market Street School until 1877, the name changed to Smith School. During this time the top two floors housed the Memphis High School until their own facility was built in 1892. Then in 1920 the name changed again to the Christine School. It was demolished in 1964.

Some of most prominent citizens of Memphis were once educated at the Christine School on Market Street. Built in 1872 as the last word in educational modernity, it was renamed in 1920 for Miss Christine Reudelhuber, its principal from 1882 until her death in 1920.

Annie Christine Reudelhuber was the daughter of German immigrants. She began her career in education before the Civil War, teaching in the Navy Yard School when she was only fifteen. She gave up her chance at romance to help with the family finances and devoted her life to teaching. She was a small person, who weighed only ninety pounds, bet her word was law. She patrolled the playground carrying a brass bell, and even the biggest boys knew to come when she called. There was plenty of rowdyism in the neighborhood, but never on the school grounds, for everyone knew Miss Christine would not tolerate it. She was famous for her hats, which featured long plumes. For forty years she influenced young people, teaching them moral lessons as well as arithmetic and letters. She died in 1920, and the Memphis School Board renamed the institution she served in her honor. The building was demolished in 1964.

Christine Reudelhuber now rests in Elmwood Cemetery.