Downtown in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Central Catholic High School
Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021
1. Central Catholic High School Marker
This school originated at a time when San Antonio lacked a boys' school of any kind. Bishop Jean-Marie Odin obtained teachers in France from the Society of Mary: Nicholas Koenig, Jean-Baptiste Laignaux, and Xavier Mauclerc. Andrew Edel, another Marianist from Ohio, was principal; San Antonio layman Timothy O'Neil also joined the staff. The school opened Aug. 26, 1852, in two rooms over a livery stable near San Fernando Cathedral. During the winter the brothers erected a building near the San Antonio River. "St. Mary's Institute” occupied that campus on March 1, 1853, and finished the school year with 100 pupils of various creeds. Enrolled as day students were Anglo-,French-, German-, and Mexican-Americans. South Texas ranch boys attended as boarders. After expanding that building the brothers erected others, including a four-story "Skyscraper" unique for the 1870s.
St. Mary's University of San Antonio was one outgrowth of the 1852 "Brothers' School. After several changes of names and facilities, Central Catholic High School in 1932 became the successor of the pioneer effort, and is now revered as the oldest and the largest private boys school in Texas.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 788.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 29° 26.201′ N, 98° 29.09′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of North St. Mary's Street and Augusta Street, on the left when traveling north on North St. Mary's Street. The marker is located on the right side of the entrance to the school. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1403 North St Mary's Street, San Antonio TX 78215, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Lone Star Brewery (approx. 0.2 miles away); O. Scott Petty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Petty House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Locks & Dams (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flooding & Dams (approx. ¼ mile away); The River in the 1800's (approx. 0.4 miles away); River Communities (approx. 0.4 miles away); The River in the 1900s (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021
2. Central Catholic High School Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021
3. The view of the Central Catholic High School from across the street
1932
4. Central Catholic High School
Source: Central Catholic High School Pep Yearbook, 1933, page 1.
1932
5. Central Catholic High School Corps of Cadets
Source: Central Catholic High School Pep Yearbook, 1933, pages 18-19.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2022, by Rene Rendon of Seaside, California.
