Kilgore in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kilgore Colored and C. B. Dansby Schools
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019
1. Kilgore Colored and C. B. Dansby Schools Marker
Inscription.
Kilgore Colored and C. B. Dansby Schools. . Formal education of Kilgore’s African American youth is recorded as early as 1873 through Kilgore Baptist church. On August 27, 1906, Kilgore residents voted to incorporate the Kilgore Independent School District (KISD), which included segregated African American schools. On this site in 1935, the KISD constructed a new brick building for African American students. The original building included seven classrooms, a principal's office, book room and 400- seat auditorium. A year later the school expanded with four additional classrooms and indoor plumbing. In 1939, growth continued with a science and agriculture building, followed by a cafeteria in 1944 and a band hall in 1954.
C. B. Dansby (1898-1955) was the beloved principal for nearly twenty- five years, and under his tenure the school expanded from six grades to twelve and consolidated surrounding rural schools. Tragically, principal Dansby died during a graduation ceremony. The school was officially renamed in his honor in 1956. Hired upon Dansby’s death Odis h. Turner (1908-1992) was the final principal from 1955 to 1970 Dansby high school continued to educate African American children of KISD until desegregation of the district on august 8 1970. The Dansby high school buildings housed KISD specialty classes for two years after the school's closing. Later, private investors purchased the property and used the campus as a multi-service facility for the community. The property passed to the jurisdiction of the city of Kilgore, who demolished the buildings in 2013. Although no longer standing, the Kilgore colored and C. B. Dansby high schools provided a quality education to students all while teaching and providing love, care and respect.
Marker is property of the State of Texas.
Formal education of Kilgore’s African American youth is recorded
as early as 1873 through Kilgore Baptist church. On August 27, 1906,
Kilgore residents voted to incorporate the Kilgore Independent
School District (KISD), which included segregated African American
schools. On this site in 1935, the KISD constructed a new brick
building for African American students. The original building
included seven classrooms, a principal's office, book room and 400-
seat auditorium. A year later the school expanded with four
additional classrooms and indoor plumbing. In 1939, growth
continued with a science and agriculture building, followed by a
cafeteria in 1944 and a band hall in 1954.
C. B. Dansby (1898-1955) was the beloved principal for nearly twenty-
five years, and under his tenure the school expanded from six grades
to twelve and consolidated surrounding rural schools. Tragically,
principal Dansby died during a graduation ceremony. The school was
officially renamed in his honor in 1956. Hired upon Dansby’s death
Odis h. Turner (1908-1992) was the final principal from 1955 to 1970
Dansby high school continued to educate African American
children of KISD until desegregation of the district on august 8
1970. The Dansby high school buildings housed KISD specialty classes
for two years after the school's closing. Later,
Click or scan to see this page online
private investors
purchased the property and used the campus as a multi-service
facility for the community. The property passed to the jurisdiction of
the city of Kilgore, who demolished the buildings in 2013. Although
no longer standing, the Kilgore colored and C. B. Dansby high
schools provided a quality education to students all while teaching
and providing love, care and respect.
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18773.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 1906.
Location. 32° 23.409′ N, 94° 53.085′ W. Marker is in Kilgore, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is on Wells Street east of Douglass Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Wells Street, Kilgore TX 75662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This photo shows the front view of C.B. Dansby School as it appeared in 1965.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 31, 2019
4. Small sponsorship plate in near marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Greg Muckelroy of Kilgore, Texas. 4. submitted on September 7, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.