Central City College/Georgia Baptist College

Founded in October 1899 by the Reverend E.K. Love under the auspices of the Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Central City College served as a co-educational institution of learning for African-American students at both the high school and college levels. The College represented a pioneering effort at African-American education during the Jim Crow era. Beset by financial woes, Central City College lost its property to foreclosure in 1937 to white businessman and philanthropist James H. Porter, who in turn placed the school's assets under the control of the Georgia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. By now called Georgia Baptist College, the institution continued fundraising efforts, including musical events with segregated seating, but failed to save the school, which finally closed in 1956.