Liberty College, which later became a combined Glasgow and Barren County High School, was built in 1875 as a women’s college.
By Jennifer Moonsong / Glasgow News 1
Standing tall along Liberty Street is one of Barren County’s oldest remaining beacons to education. Liberty College, known later as Liberty Street School, was erected in 1875. Today the structure has been transformed into apartments, but it reincarnated many times in its 148 years.
The first unit of the building was completed for $25,000. The idea for the women’s college came about in 1872 when several prominent citizens lead by Pastor N.G. Terry set their sights on an endowment from the Liberty Association of Baptists. Three communities competed to be the location of the college: Glasgow, Cave City and Smiths Grove. Glasgow was chosen because its residents raised $12,000.
In 1891, the college became a co-ed university.
In 1892, an advertisement in the Glasgow Weekly Times stated students were educated “using only the best pianos” and that a “true French accent” could be learned there.
In 1912, the Barren County Board of Education purchased the property. In 1914, the Barren County Board of Education and the trustees of the Glasgow Graded Schools came to an agreement for a merged high school in the former Liberty Street College.
The “graded school” classes that took place there are still in the recollections of Glasgow and Barren County natives.
In 1950, began construction on Ralph J. Bunche school. Happy Valley Elementary and E.B. Terry schools were completed by 1960. The Glasgow High School was constructed in 1965.
A group of graduates in 1905.
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