Bryan in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Black Education in Bryan
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, December 7, 2021
1. Black Education in Bryan Marker
On March 30, 1885, the City of Bryan purchased seven lots in this area as a site for a public school to provide separate but equal and impartial instruction for black children of the community, as prescribed by the Texas State Constitution of 1876. The "Bryan Public School for Colored" was the first educational institution established for blacks in Brazos County.
When school opened in the fall of 1885, its principal was A.H. Colwell, who later became a prominent leader of black Republicans, and was named as a presidential elector from Texas in 1896. The original faculty included Mrs. Anne Alberson, Misses Mamie Burrows and Beatrice Calhoun, Mrs. Ada Scott Hall, and Mrs. Lenora Green, a classmate of Dr. William E.B. Dubois.
The first school building of this site was a two-story frame structure, furnished with planks supported by kegs for seating. After the school burned in 1914, a brick edifice was constructed. In 1930, when the Kemp Junior-Senior High School was built across town, this facility became Washington Elementary School. After its destruction by fire in Sept. 1971, Washington Elementary was not rebuilt and the
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Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8664.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is March 30, 1885.
Location. 30° 40.731′ N, 96° 22.049′ W. Marker is in Bryan, Texas, in Brazos County. Marker is at the intersection of East Pruitt Street and North Preston Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Pruitt Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 E Pruitt St, Bryan TX 77803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bryan City Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Veterans in Bryan City Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charles Eric Jenkins (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Odd Fellows University and Orphans Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Isom Palmer (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Joseph School (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town Named for William Joel Bryan (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryan.
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, December 7, 2021
2. Black Education in Bryan Marker Area
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2021, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2021, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.
