By Bonnie M. Benson
From the Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
I. CONTEXT:
Education was a priority to the earliest residents of Matagorda County. School was held early in the settlement of most of the communities—usually under less than acceptable circumstances and with few materials.
During the 1800s, private schools were the primary avenues for educating Matagorda County students. Many plantation owners employed private tutors for their children.
Lack of education for the African American population has been a persistent thread throughout U.S. history. Prior to the Civil War, it was illegal in many states for African-Americans to be taught to read and write.
There are the stories of slaves, usually the offspring of a white master and a slave mother, who were taught to read and write; however, this was not the usual case.
Progressively, following the Civil War, it became customary to educate both white and African-American children.
By 1904, there were 32 independent school districts; 19 of them instructed a total of 764 African American students. Conditions in the schools varied from homes to schoolrooms to barns.
II. OVERVIEW:
The first mention of a “Negro” school in Palacios is in the April 4, 1929 edition of the Palacios Beacon: “during the 1928 - 29 school year … a Negro school has been maintained at a cost of approximately $300.00.” Again, in December, 1931, the Palacios Beacon reported that the “work of tearing down and removing the frame building on the southeast corner of the high school (2nd and Moore St.) was begun this week.
The material is being taken to a location west of the S.P. railroad and will be rebuilt into a two-room building for the colored children, thus giving them a much better and commodious place for educational work.”
According to the oral history of Larry Deadrick, former student at the Palacios Colored School, this site was on Humphrey Street about a block and a half from the current site on 8th Street.
By March, 1933, the Palacios Beacon reported that “the whole transaction cost[ing] $716.40. It was decided to spread the cost of this over a two-year period, so $292.31 of this amount has been paid from this year’s funds.” This is the building which was later moved to 907 Eighth Street.
It makes up the two rooms on the southern side of the property.
The Palacios School Board approved a bid on materials needed to build an addition to the Negro School in August 1939. The bid from Grant Lumber Company was approved for $984.20.
As construction got underway, a notice to delinquent tax payers ran in the Palacios Beacon.
“The School Board has authorized me to advise you that any delinquent tax payers owing taxes to the School District who desire to work out the amount of their delinquent school taxes on this building may make application at once to Mr. R. P. Newsom or Mr. H. C. Campbell, and they will give you full details about the matter. Signed, R. H. Minton, Delinquent Tax Collector.” It is not known how many tax payers took advantage of this opportunity.
In September, 1939 the new Palacios Colored School was dedicated, with Professor I. B. Kemp of Columbus, Texas as guest speaker for the occasion. Also invited was Mr. G. Johnson, County Commissioner and members of the Palacios School Board.
Following the speaking and singing there was an open house and a barbecued chicken dinner was served. Everybody is cordially invited to be present, and a special invitation is extended to the white people to attend.
The Faculty for the 1939 - 40 school term as announced by Superintendent Newsom is as follows: Negro School. Lola Mulkey. Due to construction delays, the Negro School term began on October 2, 1939. According to the April 1940 school census, there were 37 students from 6 to 16 years of age.
By 1941, Professor Granville Sanford and his wife, Mrs. Carita Foley Sanford were both teaching at the Palacios Colored School. By the April 1946 census, enrollment had risen to 81 students from 6 to 17 years of age.
Larry Deadrick, a student of Miss Mulkey and later of the Sanfords, said that they ‘raised the bar’ at the Palacios Colored School. A newspaper report from the Palacios Beacon confirms that statement.
According to the oral history of Gloria Dean King Watson, five tenth grade students graduated from the Palacios Colored School in 1949. They were: Deforest Carter, valedictorian, Gloria Dean King, salutorian, Lilly Dorsey, Lonnie Ray Grover and Leon Hebert. Gloria Dean King then moved to San Antonio to attend San Jacinto College.
Teacher assignments at the Palacios Colored School for 1962-1963 were: Granville Sanford, principal, 7th, 8th and 9th grades Ruby Deadrick, 4th, 5th and 6th grades Carita Sanford, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades 4.
At this point, 56 students were registered, the same as last year. Broken down in classes by Principal G. H. Sanford as 20- in the first, second and third; 16 in the fourth, fifth and sixth and 20 in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.
III. SIGNIFICANCE:
Plans are underway by the Palacios Community Coalition to save the Palacios Colored School and the adjoining park.
This building represents 80 years of Palacios African American history and community life.
Its history stands as a tribute to the legions of African American students that were educated within its walls and given the opportunity to better their lives.