Borger in Hutchinson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
East Ward Elementary School
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 15, 2016
1. East Ward Elementary School Marker
Inscription.
East Ward Elementary School. . In 1926, even though the city of Borger had not yet been formally organized, some of the citizens petitioned the Hutchinson County Commissioners Court to incorporate an independent school system. Borger I.S.D. was officially organized on Jul. 28, 1926, serving an area of 22 square miles. While plans were being made for five brick school buildings, temporary buildings were used for the 1926 school year which numbered 19 teachers and about 1,000 students. during the first year, no city taxes were available, so the citizens and businessmen of Borger contributed to pay the teachers’ salaries., On Nov. 15, 1926, H.H. Shell and son from Lubbock were chosen as contractor, and M.C. Butler from Oklahoma City was chosen as architect for the city’s schools. In 1927, East Ward, West Ward, Weatherly, Borger High School, and a gymnasium were erected. East Ward housed 200 pupils and was a brick and tile structure with five classrooms, a study hall, and an office. Of the original buildings, East Ward is the only one still standing., As the population of Borger grew, particularly during World War II, so did the schools. East Ward and Weatherly both saw additions including classrooms, a cafeteria, and auditoriums. In 1957, East Ward was renamed James Bowie Elementary. In July 1965, Booker T. Washington School, a school for African Americans, was closed, and students were transferred to James Bowie Elementary, which became a fully integrated school in the fall of 1965. In 1966, the school was converted into a central administrative building.,
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
In 1926, even though the city of Borger had not yet been formally organized, some of the citizens petitioned the Hutchinson County Commissioners Court to incorporate an independent school system. Borger I.S.D. was officially organized on Jul. 28, 1926, serving an area of 22 square miles. While plans were being made for five brick school buildings, temporary buildings were used for the 1926 school year which numbered 19 teachers and about 1,000 students. during the first year, no city taxes were available, so the citizens and businessmen of Borger contributed to pay the teachers’ salaries.
On Nov. 15, 1926, H.H. Shell and son from Lubbock were chosen as contractor, and M.C. Butler from Oklahoma City was chosen as architect for the city’s schools. In 1927, East Ward, West Ward, Weatherly, Borger High School, and a gymnasium were erected. East Ward housed 200 pupils and was a brick and tile structure with five classrooms, a study hall, and an office. Of the original buildings, East Ward is the only one still standing.
As the population of Borger grew, particularly during World War II, so did the schools. East Ward and Weatherly both saw additions including classrooms, a cafeteria, and auditoriums. In 1957, East Ward was renamed James Bowie Elementary. In July 1965, Booker T. Washington School, a school for African Americans,
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was closed, and students were transferred to James Bowie Elementary, which became a fully integrated school in the fall of 1965. In 1966, the school was converted into a central administrative building.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16744.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1965.
Location. 35° 40.537′ N, 101° 23.278′ W. Marker is in Borger, Texas, in Hutchinson County. Marker is on East 9th Street west of North Harvey Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 East 9th Street, Borger TX 79007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.