George Washington Carver High School (Baytown, Texas)

George Washington Carver High School was a public secondary school in Baytown, Texas. It served as the high school for Black students until the public schools in the area were desegregated.[3]

George Washington Carver High School
Location
Map
800 Carver Street

,
Coordinates29°43′38″N 94°58′45″W / 29.7273°N 94.9793°W / 29.7273; -94.9793
Information
Other nameGoose Creek School for Coloreds[1]
(1921-1946)
George Washington Carver High School[2]
(1947 - 1967)
G.W. Carver Elementary School[2]
(1967 - 1968)
Carver-Jones Elementary School[2]
(1968 - 1987)
G.W. Carver Elementary School[2]
(1988 - 1995)
TypePublic
Founded1921[1]
Closed1995[1]
School districtGoose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
MascotPanthers (1947 - 1957)[2]
Buccaneers (1957 - 1991)[2]
Stars (1991 - 1995)[2]
NicknamePirates
Websitehttps://schools.gccisd.net/page/gwce.home

History edit

In 1921, Goose Creek School for Coloreds opened as a grade school and classes were held at Mt. Rose Baptist Church.[1] It was the first public school in the area that allowed Black American children to attend; students came from Baytown, La Porte, Cedar Bayou, and McNair.[1]

In 1924, the school was moved to a new building at the northwest corner of Carver Street and Oak Street.[1] In 1927, an addition was made to the building and the curriculum was expanded to include the 9th grade.[1]

In 1941, it became a fully accredited high school and was renamed in honor of George Washington Carver, a Black American scientist and inventor.[2]

In 1948, the school was moved to a larger building at the corner of Carver Street and Lee Drive, and the old building became an elementary school.[1]

George Washington Carver High School closed after the 1967 school year[2] and Black students were transferred to Robert E. Lee High School and Ross Sterling High School.[3]

The building continued to be used to house Carver Elementary until 1995, when an abandoned oil pit was discovered on the property.[1] The building was demolished in 2002 due to safety concerns.[1][4][5][6]

The athletic teams, known as the panthers, won 8 state sports championships.[4] The band won nine state championships.[4]

In 2011, an historical marker was installed at the former site of George Washington Carver High School. The historical marker unveiling and dedication ceremony was held at the nearby Robert E. Lee High School Auditorium.[3]

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Details - George Washington Carver High School - Atlas Number 5507016480 - Atlas: Texas Historical Commission". Texas Historical Sites Atlas. Texas Historical Commission. The first public school for African American children of this area was Goose Creek School for Coloreds. Founded in 1921 as a grade school, it served the children of the Baytown area, as well as those in La Porte, Cedar Bayou, and McNair.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "George Washington Carver High School - Baytown, TX - Civil Rights Memorials".
  3. ^ a b c "Carver High School historical marker unveiling ceremony slated for Saturday" (PDF). Goose Creek Consolidated ISD. 27 April 2011. The Texas Historical Commission has recognized Goose Creek CISD's George Washington Carver High School as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it a Texas Historical Marker....The event will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. in the Robert E. Lee High School Auditorium located at 1809 Market Street in Baytown
  4. ^ a b c "George Washington Carver High School". Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Former local High School was named after Dr. George Washington Carver". 22 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  6. ^ Singleton, J Warren (12 July 2017). "Remembering Carver: Where did the legendary coaches, director end up?". Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  7. ^ "BROWN, TONY RUSSELL [CHARLES]". Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Tex, Joe (1935-1982)". 27 October 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  9. ^ Hurd, Michael (2017-10-11). Thursday Night Lights: The Story of Black High School Football in Texas. University of Texas Press. ISBN 9781477310342. Retrieved 23 November 2018.

External links edit