Thomas, Newton Stone
Birth Year : 1912
Death Year : 2004
Newton S. Thomas was born in Georgetown, KY. In 1920, his parents were divorced and Fanny Thomas was head of the household of six, according to the U.S. Federal Census. They lived on East Washington St. Newton Thomas graduated from Kentucky Normal and Industrial [now Kentucky State University]. A teacher at the Horse Cave (KY) Colored School (which had four rooms and more than 100 students), he became principal of the school in 1936. Thomas also coached the basketball team of nine players. They had no gym but won 65 games per season in 1944 and 1945, claiming the Negro League State Championship both years. In 1957, Newton Thomas was the first African American to teach at an integrated school in Kentucky, Caverna Independent High School in Horse Cave. For more see J. Mcalister, "Newton Thomas, coach of 2 basketball champions, dies at 92," Lexington Herald-Leader, 12/03/04, City&Region section, p.B4; Shadows of the Past: a history of the Kentucky High School Athletic League, by L. Stout; and the Newton S. Thomas interview at the University of Kentucky L. B. N. Center for Oral History.

  Read the transcript and listen to the audio of the Newton S. Thomas interview in the Civil Rights Movement in Kentucky Oral History Project at the Kentucky Historical Society.
Subjects: Basketball, Education and Educators, Grade Schools & High Schools in Kentucky
Geographic Region: Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky / Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky / Horse Cave, Hart County, Kentucky