Hide Article Text (OCR)
City's schools honor heroes, pioneers, educatorsBy Phil Ringman Staff Writer* “Controversy surrounding the change in the name of Northwest Junior High to G.H. Kirby Junior High — effective July 1,1977— prompts the question: How do Wichita Falls schools get their names?Heroes of the Texa$ fight for independence, pioneer Wichitans, historical figures and educators have had their names emblazoned over the doorways of Wichita Falls schools.But who were they? What did they do to earn their niches in the city’s history? And who selects the name?The school district board of trustees has the responsibility of naming or renaming— the city’s public schools, but does not follow a specific policy in doing so, according to Dr. Lee Williamson, school superintendent.In many cases the sources of the names are obvious, as in Ben Franklin Elementary School. Others are obvious for other reasons, as in Wichita Falls High School. But in some cases, information is sketchy about early-day Wichitans who were honored by having schools named after them Eider High School was named in honor of S.H. Rider, principal of Wichita Falls High from 1919-49. He died in 1958 in his 70s.Hirschi High was named for Mr. and Mrs. John Hirschi, pioneer area residents. Hirschi moved to Wichita County in 1886 near the present location of Sand Beach on Iowa Park Road and then moved into the city in 1989, He also died in 1958, at the age of 93.The “Father of Wichita Falls,” Judge J.H. Barwise, was honored with the naming of Barwise Junior High. Barwise was bom in 1829 and came to Wichita Falls in 1879 and has been called the city’s first permanent settler. He died in 1927 at the age of 97.Former school Superintendent Joe B. McNiel had another junior high named after him. McNiel, who retired in 1968, hadia career as an educator spanning a half century.Zundelowitz Junior High was named in honor of Mrs. Albert Zundelowitz. an early-day Wichitan. The city school board bought land to build a school but didn’t have enough money for the actual construction so Zundelowitz donated $30,000 and had the school named for his wife Holland House, a school housing special education programs, was named to honorblack educator A.E Holland. He had served as principal of Wichita Falls’ black school before integration and had taught for 50 years. He died in 1969 at the age of 93 The source of the original name for Northwest Junior High is obvious it is in northwest Wichita Falls But following action by the school board earlier this month. Northwest will become G.H. Kirby Junior High, renamed after former superintendent Kirby, who died in July. Kirby served as a teacher, principal, elementary education director, and assistant, deputy and finally superintendent, retiring from the top job in 1974.Kate Burgess Elementary School is the namesake of a long-time Wichita Falls teacher and principal. She retired in-1945 after 35 years of teaching and terms asprincipal of Travis and Ben Franklin«schools.Cunningham Elementary School was named for community and business leader Shem Cunningham, father of J. Phillips Cunningham, president of the Wichita Falls school board. Cunningham, a leader in the garment manufacturing industry, donated land for the school. He was born in 1898. Oilman, rancher and merchant LamarFain added his name to an elementary%school. Fain died in 1959 at the age of 72 World War II Congressional Medal of Honor winner Lt. Thomas W. Fowler has an elementary school named in his honor Fowler, born in Wichita Falls in 1921. was killed in action in Europe during the war.Harrell Elementary was named for J.T. Harrell, president of City National Bank, who died in 1943.Haynes Elementary was named in honor of long-time teacher Kate Haynes. She wasborn in Tennessee in 1864 and began her teaching career in Wichita Falls in 1889 She taught for 52 years and died in 1955 at the age of 91 Huey Elementary was named for real estate developer A L HueyMcGaha Elementary was named tor oilman-geologist Charles P McGaha He was chairman of the board of City National Bank and died in 1973 at the age of 76 Twelve Wichita Falls schools are named after historical figures in Texas history with four schools named for persons who died defending the Alamo in San Antonio in 1836. The Alamo itself lends its name to one schoolAlamo Elementary was named after the% *»Catholic mission in San Antonio and the site of the famous battle that became a rallying cry- “Remember the Alamo inTexas’ struggle for independence from Mexico James B. Bonham, David Crockett. Jim Bowie and William B Travis died defending the Alamo and have Wichita Falls schools named in their honor. Travis was commander of the Alamo fighters andCrockett has been immortalized in storv%and legend for his exploits as a hunter, scout, soldier and congressman.All except Bowie have elementary schools named for them While Bowie now is the name of the school system’s special education center, the building originally housed an elementary school. Jim Bowie was reputedly the inventor of the Bowie knife, a long-bladed hunting knife Sam Houston, one of the most famous Texans, has an elementary school named in his honor. He was a president of Texas and after it joined the union, a U S. senator and governor.Another hero of the Texas struggle for independence. Stephen F. Austin, also has an elementary school named in his honor. Aust in was secretary of state for the Republic of Texas, commander of the Texas army and a candidate for president of TexasReagan Junior High was named for JohnH. Reagan, a U.S. representative from 1857*1861 and a U.S. senator from 1876-87.But Reagan, believing his first responsibility was to his home state of Texas, resigned his Senate seat to the accept the chairmanship of the newly-created state railroad commission. He died in 1965.Col James W. Fannin Jr.. Ben Milam and Mtrabeau B. Lamar, other figures in Texas history, also have given their namesto schoolsFannin led part of an expedition against Matamoros. Mexico, in the Texas war and Milam led troops against San Ahtonio in late 1835 He was one of two Texans killed in that battle. Lamar was elected vice president of Texas in 1836.Three major figures in the history of the United States have been honored with city schools named after them.Washington Elementary was named for black educator and presidential adviser Booker T. Washington. Washington, who died in 1915, founded Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and was an adviser to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, has an elementary school named in his hjmor.Ben Franklin, for Whom an elementary school is named, was a printer, inventor, author, publisher, scientist, public servant and diplomat.Three other city schools -- the Department of Individualized Programming. 600 Flood; the Technical Training Center and Sheppard AFB Elementary School — received their names from either their function or location.The Department of Individualized Programming is the center for many of the school district’s special education prog* rams and the Technical Training Center offers courses in technical and vocational areas. Sheppard Elementary is located on Sheppard AFB.Wichita Fails High School was so named because it was the city's first and only high school for many years hence its nickname of “Old High.”
Newspaper Details
Wichita Falls Times
Wichita Falls, Texas, US
Tue, Nov 16, 1976
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Wichita F.
TX, USA 17 Jul 2020
Other Publications Near Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls Times Record News
Wichita Falls Times
Wichita Oil Reporter
Times Record News
Wichita Weekly Times
