HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlack Education in College Station 1941-1966 Lincoln School
Black Education in College Station
(1941 - 1966)
The only education provided for Brazos County blacks prior to and into the 20th century
consisted of small area schools located in churches they attended . 1,2 In the 1930s, one of the first
black schools in the City of College Station was at the Washington Chapel Baptist Church. This
served as an elementary and junior high school, while high school students were bussed to all -black
Kemp High School in Bryan .
The school had two teachers, Edna Earle Tarrow and Thay Myrtle Owens, and was
conveniently located for elementary school children. Prior to Owens' arrival, the school operated
with one teacher. Also, schools were located at St. Matthis Church where Ruth Cunningham taught,
and in the Wellborn community where Kate Tolden and Julia Muckelroy taught.
To better serve the black community's educational needs, the A &M Consolidated School
District acquired a site for an all -black school. The site was located at what is now the corner of
A Eleanor and Holleman streets at the southern limits of College Station? By 1941, a new campus
was established and opened its doors for the 1941 -42 academic year .
At first, the school was known as the A &M Consolidated Negro School. The elementary,
junior high and high school were moved to the new school. Also, several other one and two teacher
schools from outlying areas were consolidated at the new location; 10, 11, 12 namely Peach Creek,
Wellborn, Millican, Navasota and those from area churches within College Station.
Facilities at the new site consisted of a classroom building of six rooms, a principal's office and
a home economics department.13, 14 Grades 1 -11 were established, and grade 12 was added the
following year. There were 242 students enrolled, and there were seven teachers on the faculty.
They were: Elbert Cunningham, principal, Thay Myrtle Owens, Edna Harris Tarrow, Willie A.
Tarrow, A.J. Thompson, Ruth Cunningham and James Hawkins.
Facilities at the school did not expand for several years except for a woodworking shop added
by the woodworking classes. Because of the lack of classroom space, two classes were combined in
each classroom. Student assemblies and gatherings took place at area churches.
In 1942, the new school's first graduates received their diplomas. They were: Lola V. Robison,
O.B. Townsend, Ethel Mae Eaton, Clarence Burrell, Dan McGill, Hattie Malone McGill, Dora
Jewel Townsend and Emma V. Alexander.
In 1946, Willie A. Tarrow became the school's new principal and remained in that position
until the school burned. Also, the name of the school was changed to Lincoln School as the black
1
•
population began to seek its own identity. Students brought in from outlying areas were returned
to their own communities.
Citizens of the city were concerned with the school's cramped facilities, and in 1946, a petition
was presented to the school board requesting a bond election for a new negro high schoo1. Voters
approved the bonds totaling $100,000 and a new high school was constructed in 1949. This four
classroom building was located west of the elementary school building. Throughout the school's
history, when a bond issue was passed by the white voters for the white school, there was an
allowance for improvements and additions to Lincoln on the ballot 25
In 1950 -51, an industrial arts shop and science room/laboratory were built. In 1954, a
homemaking cottage was constructed, and in 1955 a gymnasium was built. Also, a small
auditorium /assembly hall, library and additional classrooms were added - -a four room addition to the
high school and a two classroom addition to the elementary schoo1. 26,27,28,29
In the early 1950s, the school received accreditation by the State Department of Education.
The facility increased to 10 teachers, one home economics instructor and one shop teacher.
The school also had a lunch program that was prepared in A &M Consolidated's facilities and
sent to Lincoln, and the industrial arts teacher built a small cafeteria for the students 31
Athletically, Lincoln was a Class A school that played other black schools in their district. Their
• district comprised the following schools: Cameron, Caldwell, Rockdale, Rosebud, Taylor, Snook
and Smith High School3
In 1954, the 13 player football team went to the state playoffs. By 1960, the size of the football
team had doubled. At first, the team utilized the playing facilities at Kemp High School for their
first game, and thereafter used A &M Consolidated's playing field for home games. Also, Lincoln's
basketball team won the state championship in 1960.
One tradition of Lincoln was for the home team to feed the visiting team after every game.
Considering racial tensions at the time, and as a reward for the athletes' hard work, they were fed a
meal for their efforts. A majority of the students who played athletics would not have attended
school if sports had not been available.
School colors were purple and gold and their mascot was the panther. The school motto was,
"Forward forever, backward never," and their school song was "Old Lincoln High. "
During the school's existence, the school served as the social hub of College Station's black
community and was more than a school -- it was family. Most of the black's social activities revolved
around the school. Everybody knew each other, and ministers from the area churches were also
involved.
Teachers served as role models to their students, and they devoted their time and money to try
and make every student the best they could be. The teachers played an integral part in their
students' lives. They encouraged students to stay in school, and so did pastors and parents. Students
2
received support and encouragement from many sources. This led many students to obtain higher
education after graduating from Lincoln3
Parents and teachers were constantly in contact with each other since they worked and
socialized together. The teachers took a genuine interest in each of their students, and the students
were always kept busy while at schoo1. These students were a tight -knit group because everything
they did, they did as a group 40
There were no attendance or discipline problems at Lincoln. The teachers handled situations
as they arose. Also, teachers taught morals to the students along with the regular curriculum 41,42
Some of the teachers were from out of town and were boarders at local homes. There was
low turnover of teachers at the school, and they were also a tight -knit group. They held annual
Christmas parties at one of the teacher's homes 44
The school day for elementary school students consisted of mornings when language arts were
taught, and afternoons when mathematics were taught 4 The high school had seven periods during
the day consisting of 45 minutes each.
There were many student organizations at Lincoln. Among them were the Tri -Hi -Y and New
Homemakers of America. Also, the school participated in many other events such as: a band (in
the early 1960s); school plays held every spring in which each high school grade would present a play
during the year; junior /senior proms (held in the gym, previously held in the elementary school
building) and Negro History Week. Students participated in the Interscholastic League, with
competitions held at Prairie View A &M University.
Also, the students celebrated May Day, the first Friday of May. Other schools would visit
Lincoln and a maypole was erected, and all students decorated it with ribbons. The day would
consist of sports - -a softball tournament, a display, fair and an open house. The day's events would
conclude with a play in the evening.
Another of Lincoln's traditions occurred during senior graduation. There were two ceremonies
for the new graduates. One, the educational commencement ceremony, where diplomas were
bestowed to the students, and the other which served as the spiritual side of graduation took place
at one of the area churches in a similar fashion.
Before integration occurred in 1964, enrollment at Lincoln School was 350 students, including
120 high school students. The A &M Consolidated Independent School District received notice
from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People requesting immediate
integration of College Station schools. The school district responded with a stair step method of
integration.
Under this plan, elementary grades would be fused into white schools. Every year. a new grade
would leave Lincoln and become integrated, and conceivably, the plan was to take 12 years.
Attendance at Lincoln became voluntary.
3
Two of Lincoln's teachers were reassigned to A &M Consolidated High School and several
white teachers were relocated to Lincoln. Also, teachers that were needed for special education
and speech taught at both schools. By 1965, grades one and two had been phased into the school
system 5 Integration went smoothly for College Station. In the integration process, Lincoln
students gave up their individuality as a black schoo15
On Jan. 20, 1966, a fire was reported at the Lincoln School to the Texas A &M University Fire
Department at 7:49 p.m. Weather conditions were cloudy, the temperature was 36 degrees and
winds were from the north -east at 15 m.p.h.
The school was ablaze when firefighters reached the scene. The Bryan Fire Department was
also called in to help fight the blaze. Over 600 spectators watched and many cars hampered fire
efforts. At the time the fire started, there was an adult education class in one of the buildings 59
The fire was well established by the time firefighters arrived because of the long response
time from the fire departments and the high winds. The fire was contained within an hour and no
deaths were reported. The high school building, principal's office, teachers' lounge and high school
library were destroyed. The buildings that were not damaged included the gym, two classrooms,
auditorium /assembly hall, homemaking cottage, cafeteria building, science laboratory and industrial
arts shop 62
All records were destroyed in the fire.63,64,65,66,67 The cause of the fire was never determined,
but it was speculated that the fire was either the result of a gas heater or arson. There was also
speculation that the fire was set to force integration to occur more quickly.
High school students were transferred to A &M Consolidated High School. The 38 students of
grades three, four, and five returned to class the following Monday after the fire. Grades six, seven,
and eight also attended Lincoln School, and they reverted back to a departmentalized program with
a seven period day. Teachers from the school were reassigned 7
Lower grades stayed at Lincoln because of space limitations at other elementary and junior
high schools. Also, because it was the middle of the year, the school board decided it was best not to
uproot the students during that time.
At the end of the 1965 -66 school year, Lincoln's doors were shut. The school board decided
that there were not enough students attending to make it feasible to rebuild the burned facilities and
keep the school open7 Also, many of the black students wanted to be integrated.
Until 1968, the buildings remained unused, except for the occasional gatherings of small church
groups. In 1967, the City of College Station discussed what could be done with city property that
was adjacent to Lincoln. In the interim, an informal agreement was entered into by the city to
temporarily use the school property as a city park.
Cr
4
• By 1968, a Council Committee reported that the school board was willing to turn over the land
and facilities at Lincoln to the city on a 10 year lease. The City Council agreed that the Parks and
Recreation Committee should develop detailed plans for the property and buildings.
By the end of that year the city acquired the property, and in 1969 the city's Parks and
Recreation offices located at Lincoln. The facilities housed continuing education classes and served
as a neighborhood recreation center. City property adjacent to the school was used as an all -
purpose sports field. The homemaking cottage served as the Parks and Recreation Department
Office, and the industrial arts shop was converted into a shop for the department 76
The property was renovated and restored in 1972. In 1978, the city bought the land from the
school district and the facilities were entirely revamped. On June 6, 1980, the Lincoln Center was
officially dedicated and began to serve as a tribute to the school that once stood on that site. School
trophies are displayed at the Lincoln Center located where Lincoln School stood.
The memories, graduates and teachers of Lincoln School are still vivid and alive. The Lincoln
Former Students Association was formed in 1982. Currently the association has 13 active
members and they hold biennial reunions. The association is comprised of students who attended
Lincoln School.
The association provides scholarships for black students and is active in keeping the history,
• heritage and memories of the school alive. An area chapter in Dallas was formed in 1989 and plans
are underway to form another chapter in Houston.
•
5
Bibliography
Balliew, Deborah. College Station Texas 1938/1988. Intaglio Press: College Station, 1987. Pg. 36,
43.
"Consolidated Board Shuffles Pupils," The Bryan Daily Eagle. Vol. 90, No. 175, Monday, Jan. 24,
1966.
"Damage Totals $65,000," The Bryan Daily Eagle. Vol. 90, No. 172, Friday, Jan. 21, 1966.
"Lincoln School Blaze Displaces 100- -Plans Studied Today," The Bryan Daily Eagle. Vol. 90, No.
172, Friday, Jan. 21, 1966.
"Lincoln School Book Count Slated Monday," The Bryan Daily Eagle. Vol. 90, No. 173, Saturday,
Jan. 22, 1966.
City of College Station, City Council Minutes. Sept. 8, 1941; Oct. 2, 1941; July 9, 1942; Dec. 10,
1942; April 19, 1967; April 24, 1967; Feb. 26, 1968; Jan. 15, 1969; Feb. 24, 1969; March 24,
1969.
A &M Consolidated School District, School Board Minutes; Jan 8, 1941; Feb. 7, 1941; Feb. 28, 1941;
March 31, 1941; June 24, 1941; July 3, 1941; July 9, 1941; July 28, 1941; Aug. 19, 1941; Aug. 25,
1941; Sept. 26, 1941; Oct. 17, 1941, June 10, 1943; Aug. 12, 1943; Nov. 9, 1944, Dec. 18, 1944;
May 9, 1946; Jan 24, 1966; Feb. 28, 1966; Aug. 28, 1967; Nov. 20, 1967.
College Station Golden Memories Video Tape, 1988. Produced by the City of College Station.
Interview with Gilbert A. Eimann, former State Fire Chief/Fire Marshal for Texas A &M University.
• Interview with Thay Myrtle Owens, former elementary school and home economics teacher at
Lincoln School.
Interview with Taylor Riedel, former superintendent of the College Station Independent School
District (1957- 1974).
Interview with Audrey Steen Williamson, former student and 1953 graduate of Lincoln School.
Joint interview with Jerome R. Delley, former head football coach and social studies /history teacher,
and Ethel Steen Delley, elementary school teacher at Lincoln School and 1953 graduate.
6
® ENDNOTES
1 Thay Myrtle Owens.
2 Ethel Steen Delley.
3 Audrey Steen Williamson.
4 Thay Myrtle Owens.
5 Thay Myrtle Owens.
6 Thay Myrtle Owens.
7 A &M Consolidated School District Minutes, December 18, 1944
8 Balliew, Deborah. College Station Texas 193811988, p. 36.
9 Audrey Steen Williamson.
to Taylor Riedel.
11 Thay Myrtle Owens.
12 Audrey Steen Williamson.
13 Jerome R. Delley.
14 Thay Myrtle Owens.
15 'Thay Myrtle Owens.
16 Audrey Steen Williamson.
17 Jerome R. Delley.
18 Ethel Steen Delley.
19 Taylor Riedel.
20 Audrey Steen Williamson.
21 Audrey Steen Williamson.
22 Thay Myrtle Owens.
23 Audrey Steen Williamson.
24 A &M Consolidated School Board Minutes, May 9, 1946.
25 Taylor Riedel.
26 Jerome R. Delley.
27 Ethel Steen Delley.
28 Thay Myrtle Owens.
29 Audrey Steen Williamson.
30 Jerome R. Delley.
31 Jerome R. Delley.
32 Jerome R. Delley.
33 Jerome R. Delley.
34 Jerome R. Delley.
35 Audrey Steen Williamson.
36 Ethel Steen Delley.
37 Ethel Steen Delley.
38 Jerome R. Delley.
39 Jerome R. Delley.
40 Ethel Steen Delley.
41 Ethel Steen Delley.
42 Jerome R. Delley.
43 Ethel Steen Delley.
44 Ethel Steen Delley.
45 Ethel Steen Delley.
46 Jerome R. Delley.
47 Audrey Steen Williamson.
48 Ethel Steen Delley.
49 Audrey Steen Williamson.
50 Ethel Steen Delley.
52 Ethel Steen Delley.
53 Jerome R. Delley.
54 Taylor Riedel.
55 Taylor Riedel.
56 Thay Myrtle Owens.
57 "Lincoln School Blaze Displaces 100- -Plans Studied Today," The Bryan Daily Eagle.
7
•
•
58 Taylor Riedel.
59 "Damage Totals $65,000 ", "Lincoln School Blaze Displaces 100- -Plans Studied Today," Bryan
Daily Eagle, Friday, Jan. 21, 1966.
6° Gilbert A. Eimann.
61 Ethel Steen Delley.
62 "Lincoln School Blaze Displaces 100- -Plans Studied Today," Bryan Daily Eagle, Friday, Jan. 21,
1966.
63 Audrey Steen Williamson.
64 Thay Myrtle Owens.
65 Jerome R. Delley.
66 Ethel Steen Delley.
67 Taylor Riedel.
68 Gilbert A. Eimann.
69 Taylor Riedel.
7° Balliew, Ann. The City of College Station 1938/1988, ppg. 43.
71 "Consolidated Board Shuffles Pupils," The Bryan Daily Eagle, Monday, Jan. 24, 1966.
72 Taylor Riedel.
74 City of College Station Council Minutes, April 19, 1967; April 24, 1967.
75 City of College Station Council Minutes, Feb. 26, 1968.
76 City of College Station Council Minutes, Jan. 15, 1969; Feb. 24, 1969; Mar. 24, 1969.
t or 77 Audrey Steen Williamson.
8