Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Solomon Coles
(1844-1924)
— and Solomon Coles School —
A former slave, Solomon Melvin Coles was born in Petersburg, Virginia. Before the Civil War, a sheriff disobeyed the law by teaching Coles to read. He worked his way through college beginning at Guilford Institute, Connecticut, as the first Black student. He earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Divinity at Yale. He organized the Nazarene Congregational Church, First Black Congregationalist Church in Brooklyn, New York, before coming to Texas in 1877.
Ordained in Goliad, Texas, he began preaching in Corpus Christi and teaching Black students who only attended school two months of the year. In 1878, believing education essential to Black children, Coles gave up the ministry to teach and serve as principal at the school in the 500 block of N. Carancahua. The school moved in 1893 to this site and was known as the Public Free School for Colored. The existing building was a converted broom factory. The following year Coles moved to San Antonio where he taught until his retirement in 1914. In 1925 this structure which served as a high school was built and named for Coles. In 1973 it became Solomon M. Coles Elementary School.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6309.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 27° 47.979′ N, 97° 24.009′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is on Padre Street north of Winnebago, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 924 Padre St, Corpus Christi TX 78401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Explosion of the Steamship Dayton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Bayview Cemetery (about 400 feet away); James Downing (about 500 feet away); William DeRyee (about 500 feet away); Matthew Nolan (about 500 feet away); Eli Todd Merriman (about 600 feet away); Old Bayview Mesquite (about 600 feet away); John Dix (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.