Historic marker honors Eckstein Norton University’s legacy in Bullitt County

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A historical marker honoring a piece of Bullitt County history was unveiled on Saturday.

Eckstein Norton University, located at Cane Springs in Bullitt County, opened in 1890. The school was created to offer a Black educational institution in Kentucky after the Civil War.

Eckstein Norton University's president Charles Parrish went on to become Simmons College's first president after Eckstein Norton University merged with Lincoln Institute in 1912.

According to a news release, Gary and Kathy Fields own the property where the university once stood. They found what was possibly a three-story dormitory that once housed students. Other artifacts were discovered.

"This is a living history. We continue to learn more about Eckstein Norton University and the important role it served in educating formerly enslaved people," Marshall Bradley, president of Lincoln Foundation, said in a news release. "It is important to continue research to uncover more about the university, especially its nationally recognized music conservatory."

The university opened to 24 students in 1890. The school had a primary department for grades 1-5, a training department for grades 6-8, a preparatory department for grades 9-12, along with a college department that offered both B.A. and B.S. degrees.

"The school itself was founded by Dr. Simmons who Simmons College is named after and Dr. Parrish," Bradley said. "It was a school opened for African American students. It taught a normal school and it also taught the fine arts. They had had a well-renowned music conservatory here."

Gerry Tyrrell is a descendant of Eckstein Norton, who was the primary benefactor of the university. Norton was an investment banker and president of L&N Railroad.

"This is such an important part of Kentucky history that has been forgotten," Tyrrell said in a news release. "Our family is so proud of this legacy of supporting education for all and are so glad to reconnect with Lincoln Foundation still doing the work of supporting and engaging under-resourced Kentucky students for success134 years later."

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