Texas City in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Booker T. Washington School
Public education for African American students in Texas City began in 1915. The Texas City Independent School District hired Mrs. J. R. McKellar to teach the students; classes were held in churches and lodge halls until 1937, when the district purchased this property and moved a one-story wooden building to the site.
For many years, Booker T. Washington School offered instruction only through grade seven, so students traveled to Galveston to complete their education. A brick schoolhouse constructed here in 1946-47 housed grades one through ten. In 1953, a high school building was added to the campus, and African American students could at last complete their high school education in Texas City. Extracurricular activities, including athletic and music programs, were important parts of student life.
With the full integration of Texas City public schools in 1969, Booker T. Washington closed. It remains, however, a significant part of Texas City's 20th-century social and educational history. The campus has continued in use for a variety of community purposes, including facilities for The College of the Mainland in its initial years (1967-71), for Project Head Start (1974-89) and for the Calvin Vincent Learning Center (1996).
Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission . (Marker Number 204.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 29° 23.247′ N, 94° 54.002′ W. Marker is in Texas City, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Avenue North and 4th Street North, on the right when traveling west on 3rd Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 4th Street North, Texas City TX 77590, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sociedad Mutualista Mexicana in Texas City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Davison Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Texas Sugar Refining Company (approx. half a mile away); Texas City Dike (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Aero Squadron (approx. 0.6 miles away); Anchor from Freighter Grand Camp (approx. 0.6 miles away); Anchor Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Texas City Disaster (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Texas City.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on August 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on February 15, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on June 29, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.