Heldt, who graduated in 1962 and is Vanderburgh County Circuit judge, said the monument — built from bricks from the old school — is a dedication to all the students, faculty and staff who walked the halls of the school. The monument also includes plaques that tell the school's history at the location and a photo of it.

"We always thought that there should be some kind of monument here because this school was here for 103 years, and we didn't want it to be forgotten," he said.

"Thousands of students passed through these buildings, and although Central High School still does exist, it's a different place, and they have different traditions.

"So we wanted something permanent here so people would know that the school was here at one time ... before the people who remembered it was here are all gone."

Cole, a former teacher and 1957 graduate, said a lot of people attended Central at its original location.

City block held '2,300 kids'

"When it was closed in 1971, there were 2,300 kids in this one city block; no athletic fields, no parking spaces ... it's amazing," he said.

"We hope this tradition that started here, and continuing out on First Avenue, will hopefully keep the name of Central High School going forever."

This summer, Clarence Vaught will celebrate his 70th class reunion.

On Tuesday, he reminisced about his days at Central — including how the steps creaked from wear and tear and having to play basketball sectionals at a different location in town after the 1937 flood left 6 inches of water on the school's gym floor.

"At first we were the only high school in Evansville. And then Reitz High School came in, and then Bosse and then Catholic schools began coming in. To me it was always a challenge to be at the top among the city schools," he said.

Bringing recognition

But on Tuesday, it was nice to bring some recognition to the spot where his alma mater once stood.

"When they moved this school out from where it is now, we kind of lost our prestige, or we felt like we did," Vaught said.

Vaught said after he graduated from Central in 1940, he entered the service and fought in World War II. He said Tuesday was recognition of his classmates who also fought in the war but never made it back.

"I think about all the guys in our class that went there and didn't come back. It's kind of a dedication to them, too, and the memories that it brings," the 88-year-old said. "There's a lot of history here."

While not a Central graduate, Tex Graham spent several years at the school as a former teacher and basketball coach. He said it was a great school to be a part of because of the students and other faculty.

"There were just so many kids that came through this school that went on to become outstanding citizens," said Graham, 88. "I think this monument is respectful to them and they have something, (that says), that's where my school was. And the bricks; that's part of it. It just gets to you."