Palacios Colored School
African-American School

Rainbow Land Day Care
 

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Palacios Colored School Historical Marker Dedication
 


 

Preservation Efforts
 


Vision For Former Rainbow Land Park to "Serve the Community"

The Rainbow Community Park and Historical Site Project feasibility plan reports considerable progress according to Palacios Community Coalition Chairman Troy Lewis and Palacios Community HUB Co-Chair Bill Stacy.

This anticipated project is located at 907 8th St., which was formerly the Rainbow Land Daycare and also a local historical landmark, the school for African-Americans during the time of segregation.

According to Lewis and Stacy, the park has multiple possibilities to serve the community. Besides the historical significance, the land is established with approximately 2 acres of "the forest," with more than 40 large shade trees.

The mission of the new park, according to Lewis and Stacy, is to promote community events, physical exercise/fitness, educational activities, tourist interest and will be used as a cultural destination.

Currently the land is owned by Palacios ISD, and according to Lewis and Stacy, considerations are underway with the potential for donating the land to serve these community attractions.

Donations and grants are anticipated with the assistance of the Palacios Area Fund allowing the Palacios Community Coalition to be under the umbrella of PAF's 501 (c) 3.

According to Lewis and Stacy, to embrace the historical significance Tony Doubek and Bonnie Benson, local historians, are conducting interviews and video camera recordings, with students having attended the "Black School" up until the late 1960's. These historians will then collaborate with the Palacios Museum to ensure the oral history is maintained and shared.

Both the City of Palacios and Palacios ISD will entertain Lewis and Stacy in the near future at City Council and School Board meetings to hear progress, make considerations, and ultimately deem the fate of this project.

Palacios Beacon, November 20, 2013
 


Effort to Preserve Palacios' Black History Begins With Former Rainbowland Park

In an effort to preserve Palacios' Black history, Bonnie Benson, member of the Matagorda County Historical Commission, is producing an oral history account of experiences at the Palacios Colored School between 1941-1965.

The Palacios Colored School was located at 907 8th St., later the well-known original site of Rainbow Land Daycare.

Intrigued with the building and the history, Benson desires to preserve the original historical contribution the building has had within this community, the former Palacios Colored School.

African-American or Black History month is in February and notably, according to Benson, there is not any recorded Black History currently at the Palacios Museum. Benson's efforts are to produce an oral history account from local students that were educated at this school. These video recordings will be then available for public viewing at the Palacios Museum, with a hopeful date of Feb. 2014.

Currently the Palacios Community Coalition with assistance from the Palacios Community HUB, are in the feasibility stage of The Rainbow Community Park and Historical Site Project which coincides with Benson's belief.

"It would make a lovely park but the history of the whole piece of land is very important," said Benson. According to Benson this land and building have over 70 years of significance to the community.

Ties are interwoven with this land and building with the history of Palacios, according to Benson, as the initial 20 years served as the Palacios Colored School and during the next 50 years served as Rainbow Land Daycare which assisted in raising generations of Palacians.

The Palacios Beacon will continue to follow Benson's progress as history is made in Palacios; the recording of Black history.

Palacios Beacon, December 4, 2013
 


African American Heritage Day at Museum Sat.
 

The Palacios Community Coalition in association with the Palacios Area Historical Association is sponsoring the first annual African American Heritage Day on Sat. (Feb. 22). The event will be held at the Palacios City by the Sea Museum at 401 Commerce Street. Various speakers from the city and county will explore the African American roots of the city and country as well as current and future contributions.

Memoirs of several long time citizens in the form of "Oral Histories" as recorded by Dr. Bonnie M. Benson of the Matagorda County Historical Commission, will be presented to the museum as a reflection of the African American Heritage in Palacios.

The public is encouraged to bring old family photos to be scanned into the museum's archives and all of their family lore to share at the event.

Palacios Beacon, February 19, 2014
 


Documenting history translates into preserving history and captured above is Bonnie Benson, member of the Matagorda County Historical Commission, capturing Palacios' Black history by interviewing Ms. Gloria Watson. Benson is documenting the oral history account of experiences at the Palacios Colored School between 1941-1965 which was located at 907 8th St., which late became the well-known original site of Rainbow Land Daycare. As proclaimed at last Tues. Palacios City Council meeting by Mayor Sardelich, this Sat. (Feb. 22) is African American Heritage Day for the city of Palacios. (Beacon Photo Brandi G. West)
 


 

 


 

 

Office of the Mayor
City of Palacios, Texas

Proclamation

Whereas: African Americans have played a central role in our nation's history and The African American community has been a vital part of Palacios and Matagorda County for many generations; and
 
Whereas: For too long, historians have ignored or glossed over their contributions and the injustices they have suffered. Their recognition as part of the community has been minimized but their contribution has always added significant value to the city and the community; and
 
Whereas: Many individuals and their descendants in the African American community of Palacios have successfully contributed in the business and education sectors, the legal and medical professions, Palacios city government, and in many other areas in and out of the City of Palacios and the State of Texas, and continue to inspire their youth to look forward;
 
Whereas: This year, The Palacios Community Coalition and Palacios Area Historical Association will hold a celebration on the 22nd of February, 2014 from 3-5 pm at the City by the Sea Museum.
 
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor John Sardelich, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of February as the annual observance of Palacios African American Heritage Day.

John C. Sardelich, Mayor

ATTEST:
Keri G. Berger, City Secretary
 



City By The Sea Museum Packed For African American Heritage Day
 
Seats were filled at the first annual African American Heritage Day that was celebrated last Sat. (Feb 22) at the City by the Sea Museum with over 40 individuals in attendance. By the request of the Palacios Community Coalition, the City of Palacios created resolution designating Feb. 22 and every third Sat. in Feb. to follow as African American Heritage Day. Dr. Bonnie Benson presented the 'oral history' presentation of experiences at the Palacios Colored School; most recently known as the former Rainbow Land Daycare. Above are oral history participants; Dora Shannon Lewis, Alice Mae Monroe Polk, Doris Davis Heard, Benson and Gloria Dean King Watson. (Beacon Photo by Brandi G. West.
 

Annual African American History Day
 


 

 

Copyright 2014 - Present by Palacios Community Coalition
All rights reserved
Created
Mar. 13, 2014		 Updated
Feb. 19, 2015
   

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