Uvalde in Uvalde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Nicolas Street School

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

1. Nicolas Street School Marker

Inscription. The Nicolas Street School, built in 1938, is the only surviving school to tell the story of African-American education in Uvalde. Mrs. T.B. "Susie" Harris, who came to Uvalde to teach at the Oak Street School in 1912, was integral in the establishment of Nicolas Street School. By 1937, increasing enrollment led the Uvalde school board to apply for federal aid to build three new buildings, two for Mexican-American students and one for Anglo students. Although they had originally promised new facilities for African-American students, the board instead decided to transfer the students to one of the older school buildings. Mrs. Harris wrote to U.S. Vice-President John Nance Garner, a Uvalde resident, asking for his assistance in obtaining a new campus. The board later received a telegram from the vice president in support of Mrs. Harris. In 1938, the board approved the purchase of land on Nicolas Street for a new school.

In a time of segregated but seldom equal facilities, the Nicolas Street School contributed significantly to the education of local African-American children. San Antonio architect Will Noonan designed and Uvalde contractor Robert Holcomb built the rectangular, single story brick schoolhouse with metal hipped roof, open eaves and exposed rafters. Two teachers, Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Jewel Kinchlow, taught eight grades here. Mrs. Kinchlow, a former student of Mrs. Harris, later became principal of Nicolas Street School until 1956. Although the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District voted to integrate public schools in 1955, Nicolas Street School remained in operation until 1965, when the school board transferred ownership of the property to the City of Uvalde. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17070.)

Topics.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 29° 12.144′ N, 99° 47.607′ W. Marker is in Uvalde, Texas, in Uvalde County. It is at the intersection of Silvestre Street and Nicolas Street, on the left when traveling west on Silvestre Street. The marker is located on the north side of the DeLeon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Silvestre Street, Uvalde TX 78801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country.

It is also in the American Borderlands.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jardin de Heroes / Garden of Heroes (approx. 0.4 miles away); Early Texas Wagon Yards (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pat Garrett (approx. 0.7

The view of the Nicolas Street School Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

2. The view of the Nicolas Street School Marker along the street

miles away); Fort Inge, Camp Dix, C.S.A. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Grand Opera House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Uvalde County Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away); Uvalde Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Uvalde County (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Uvalde.

The view of the Nicolas Street School and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

3. The view of the Nicolas Street School and Marker from across the street

The Nicolas Street School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

4. The Nicolas Street School

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.