2500 Block 8^th Street at Cottonwood

Matagorda County Historical Marker Narrative

28°59'4.36"N        95°57'37.04"W
 

SITE OF EARLY BAY CITY SCHOOL

By Mary Belle Ingram

This is the history of a school campus--Block #6--which has belonged to the Bay City Independent School District for 85 years, with children attending school on that campus for 60 of the 85 years.

The Bay City Independent School District has owned Block #6 since 1901, and it is the oldest school site in Bay City. From 1901 to 1905 an eight room two-story school erected on Block 6 served all grades. The ground then stood idle until 1930 when a new building was erected on Block #6, which served as a high school until 1949, a junior high until 1962, and finally as an elementary school from 1962 to the present (1986).

In 1901, a strawberry field, trees and fences occupied the block of land where Cherry Elementary School is now situated. This 300 foot square block of land was carved out of the Ike Towell, First Addition and was not in the city limits when purchased in August of 1901 for three hundred dollars by the Bay City Independent School District for "free school purposes." A written agreement between Ike Towell and the Board of Trustees; S. S. Montgomery, J. D. Moore, Henry Rugeley, Amos Lee, I. N. Barber, A. D. Hensley and W. C. Carpenter, gave Ike Towell twelve months to remove his strawberry plants, trees and fences from the entire block other than the building site. The Ike Towell addition had been purchased from the Mensing Brothers in 1898 and was originally prairie and pasture land belonging to the International and Great Northern Railway Company.

The school district erected an impressive two-story frame structure with eight separate classroom, halls and cloak closets on the west end of Block #6. However, this was not the first public school in Bay City. During the three previous years (1898-1901) children had attended classes in a small building at the corner of Avenue C and Eight Street on the original townsite.

Many parents objected to the new school being so far out in the country and so near the Santa Fe tracks, which had just been complete four blocks to the west. There were four passenger trains daily as well as freight train traffic. In fact, some parents refused to let their children attend and resorted to a private school conducted by the Reverend John L. Sloan at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Professor J. E. Cowles with Miss Julia Besley as principal and five other teachers made up the faculty of the new school. The title of superintendent was not given the teacher in charge until 1905. There were no sidewalks or roads for those early students and during the rainy season students and teachers alike wore rubber boots and carried their shoes. There was no Parent-Teacher Association; nor was there an auditorium. Each classroom was responsible for its own programs and entertainments. General school functions were held in the courthouse. One of the biggest problems was keeping livestock away from the playground and the windows when students were reciting, so a fence was built around the property. Teachers received a magnificent sum of $30 a month and the Board of Trustees placed rather heavy restrictions on the teachers--no dancing or staying out late.

This two-story structure served the Bay City children until 1905 when the Jefferson Davis School was erected at Fourth Street and Avenue L. Block #6 then stayed idle for twenty-five years until a new Bay City High School was erected there in 1930. The 300 foot square that originally composed Block #6 did not include Lots 1 and 2 of that block. They were acquired in 1930, along with all of Block 5 for additional land for the construction of not only the new high school, but a football field. The football field was on Block #5.

The architect, Harry D. Payne, met with the School Board several times and on September 20, 1929, the board accepted the plans for the new school.

The following members were present at that board meeting: R. G. Pegram, Mrs. A. H. (Lurline) Wadsworth, L. M. Matchett, Vance Porter, Frank Thompson, W. C. Lloyd, R. E. Baker, E. O. Hutcheson and architect, Harry D. Payne. The motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed that the "Board instruct the architect to develop a prospective sketch in color, setting forth proposed new school building as outlined in sketch "F" slate 7-8-29 and also to furnish us with printed postcards for distribution." In the September 4, 1930 meeting a year later, the school board accepted custody of both the primary school building and high school building as suggested by the architect.

The new school was ultra modern in every way according to a front page article in The Daily Tribune, dated July 25, 1930:

$175,000 Structures (new school building and renovated Jeff Davis) will proudly await 900 students in September

But a few months have passed since the passage of the school bonds aggregating a total of $175,000. The speed and efficiency with which those bonds have been sold and work started on the modern building north of the city is better demonstrated by a mere reference to the imposing structure which but a few months ago was a dream and one that could hardly be relied on.

The dream however is now a reality and the new building out there north of the city is little short of a dream. Within four short weeks the portals will be open and the ideal institution of learning will welcome some three hundred students to come glean an education. The building is ultra-modern in every sense of the word, not the simplest convenience or furtherance of slightest necessity for use now or in the near future has been neglected. From the foundation to the top of the beautiful tile roof you taxpayers, we taxpayers, and the taxpayers of the next generation can look with pride and boast that the school structure erected in 1929-1930 is one of strength, one of character, and one of endurance, built by men as interested in the project as if it were their own--and in truth it is their own, yours and mine.

The cornerstone of the southeast corner of the front entrance reads:

 In 1937, Block #4 of the Ike Towell 1st Addition was purchased from Ira T. Anderson, Charlie Scott Jones, Jessie Phillips Wilkins and J. P. Wilkins. This purchase enlarged the school campus to three city blocks.

Bay City High School occupied this fine building through May of 1949; a total of nineteen years. Pictures of each graduating class for those years are displayed in the Matagorda County Museum.

In 1949, a new high school was built a few blocks to the north and this old Block #6 campus and building became the Bay City Junior High School. Then, when a new junior high school was built in 1962, the building was renovated and remodeled once again to become an elementary school. The school was named the "John H. Cherry Elementary School" in honor of John Harvey Cherry who had come to Bay City in 1936 serving as principal of the old Jefferson Davis School and as Superintendent of the Bay City Independent School District from 1944 to 1960.

In conclusion, this historic block of land has served the needs of the school district since 1901; an elementary and high school 1902-1905; Bay City High School 1930-1949; Bay City Junior High School 1949-1962 and John H. Cherry Elementary School 1962-1986.

The present building will be demolished in 1986 to make way for a new John H. Cherry Elementary School on this same historic land which has seen a steady march of school children of all ages trek back and forth to school beginning with those first school children having to cross those "dreaded Santa Fe tracks" of long ago.

The Texas Historical Marker for the Site of Early Bay City School was dedicated May22, 1987, at 2509 Eighth Street, Bay City, Texas.

SITE OF EARLY BAY CITY SCHOOL

      IN 1901 THIS LAND WAS A PASTORAL SCENE OF TREES AND A STRAWBERRY FIELD OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. THAT YEAR THE BAY CITY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PURCHASED MOST OF THIS BLOCK FOR $300. A TWO-STORY, EIGHT-ROOM FRAME SCHOOL WAS ERECTED HERE, AND CLASSES WERE TRANSFERRED FROM A TWO-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE AT AVENUE D AND EIGHTH STREET, WHICH HAD BEEN USED SINCE 1895.

      ONE OF THE TEACHERS, MISS TENIE HOLMES (1874-1952), BEGAN HER CAREER IN 1896 AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN BAY CITY. FROM 1898 SHE TAUGHT PUBLIC CLASSES AT AVENUE D, THEN MOVED TO THE FIRST SCHOOL ON THIS SITE, WHICH SERVED FROM 1901 TO 1905. SHE RETIRED FROM BAY CITY SCHOOLS IN 1936, THEN CONDUCTED A PRIVATE SCHOOL UNTIL HER DEATH.. AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS NAMED FOR HER IN 1952.

      ADDITIONAL LOTS AND A SECOND BLOCK WERE ACQUIRED HERE IN 1930, AND “BAY CITY HIGH SCHOOL” WAS BUILT ON THIS SITE. THE ONE-STORY STRUCTURE WAS DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT HARRY D. PAYNE, AND EXHIBITED SPANISH COLONIAL REVIVAL DETAILS IN BRICK, CAST STONE, AND TILE ROOFING. THE CAMPUS EXPANDED IN 1937 WITH THE PURCHASE OF A THIRD BLOCK.
     THE 1930 BUILDING WAS CONVERTED TO A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN 1949, AND IN 1962 IT BECAME “JOHN H. CHERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.” THE STRUCTURE WAS DEMOLISHED IN 1986.             (1986)
 

Dedication of New School Draws Big Gathering Of Proud Citizens
Some 500 Join In to Offer Congratulations to School Board on Completion of Imposing Structure Wednesday Evening

The new $135,000 high school building is completed. The grammar school is groomed at the cost of $40,000. The dedication of the completion of these two great improvements in the city was held with ceremony last night in the auditorium of the new building. More than 500 were present to join in the ceremonies and offer congratulations and felicitations to those responsible for this magnificent advancement in the scholastic achievement of our proud municipality.

The building which will accommodate more than 300 students was thrown open for inspection last night.

Mr. G. A. Moore, master of ceremonies, briefly outlined the work of the new school board responsible in its untiring efforts for the new improvements. The board is composed of R. Q. Pegram, president; R. E. Baker, secretary; Frank Thompson, Mrs. Albert Wadsworth. Vance Porter, Louis Matchett, W. C. Lloyd. Mr. Moore related the difficulties these men encountered and how they worked out each de- tail with the enthusiasm and zeal characteristic of men of their calibre.

Following the invocation by Rev. Terry Wilson, Mr. Moore introduced Mr. Vance Porter, member of the board, who delivered the following presentation speech:

"It may be of interest to you to know that the earliest event directly connected with the recent building program of the Bay City Independent Schools, happened in August, 1901. On the 16th of August, 1901, the Bay City Independent School District purchased from Ike Towell, block No. 6, the site on which this building stands.

"A two-story wooden. building was erected here during the spring of 1902 and the 1902-03 session of the schools were held here. That building became inadequate in three years. It is now located in northern Bay City and serves as a negro school.

…the hond issue by a vote of three to one and the building program was entered upon immediately.

"In the carrying out of the program that makes it possible for us to present to you with this wonderful school plant, your board was substantially aided by many individuals and organizations. We wish to express our appreciation especially to the taxpayers of the Bay City Independent School District for the confidence they evidenced in your board in voting the bonds. To the present city administration for full co-operation and assistance throughout the building program. The city closed a street to give us a two-block tract for the building and athletic field.

They graded, drained and bridged seven blocks of heretofore unimproved streets and are now shelling same. They made necessary extensions to their water and sewerage systems to give our plant these services without more than the usual service charges for connections. They are working with us now on a program of sidewalks that it is hoped will connect the schools, with existing walks on 6th and 7th Streets.

To Mr. Harry D. Payne, a real architect and a genuinely good fellow, who, with his assistants, Messrs. Caldwell and Schneider, designed these buildings and planned the grounds. Mr. Payne and his associates spared neither time nor car mileage in supervising the construction and securing the best results for us.

"To Knutson Construction Company, general contractors: Cliff Warren & Sons, on plumbing and heating, Graham & Collins on electric work, we owe much for the type of work done, for the dispatch with which the job was handled and for their genuine spirit of co- operation.

Last, but not least by any means, we want to commend our fellow townsman, Hy White, for his work in the preparation of the athletic field. He has personally supervised every operation and has evidenced interest in the results that is rather unusual. We are sure that Mr. White does not want that boy of his to be skinned up on boards or stones this fall for he has dug them out with his own hands and moved them.

Mr. Mayor, acting for the entire board of the Bay City Independent School District. I take great pleasure in presenting these grounds buildings and their equipment to you for the people of Bay City and those of adjacent portions of Matagorda County."

Mayor Pat Thompson responded and briefly reviewed the hardships that were encountered by the school board in working out a plan by which the city gained the new building.

"And all of this," stated the mayor as he reviewed the magnificent structure, was possible without the raising of taxes."

Mrs. Emma Carleton of the P.T. A. delivered a short speech of appreciation and reviewed the formation of the Parent-Teacher Association from its inception several years ago. Mrs. Carleton's speech: "Mr. Chairman, members of the school hoard, Mr. Hutcheson, faculty, friends:

"The Parent-Teacher Association feels privileged to be represented on such a program as this. It is a most unusual occasion, giving promise of resultant happiness, comfort and the successful education of our children.

"Many of us here tonight bridge. the gap between the day when there was no such comfort, no such equipment, no such educational opportunity, when there was no organized effort between parents and teachers for the good of the whole and today when parent and teacher join hands in the name of child welfare and education. We can truly value the progressive steps resulting in our present system and the Parent-Teacher Association as we have it now.

"While the Parent-Teacher Association is a movement of national scope, for our present purpose, we shall narrow it down to our local organization. To do this, we must look backward, if we are to get the true perspective of usefulness and service of the group of men and women who pioneered through strenuous years and those of us carrying on today that the children, may have their fullest measure of opportunity.

"To a small group of men and women in 1908, we are indebted for the first organized effort at co-operation between parents and faculty in our schools. With Mrs. Claire F. Pollard as president, and Mrs. W. S. Holman, as secretary, the Mother's Club was organized with a small membership but a large purpose, ideals, ambitions, A few years later, after a most worthy stewardship, the Mother's Club was reorganized as the Parent-Teacher Association. This was about 1913.

"Administrations of the P.-T. A. lave come and gone, class after class graduated into other spheres of activity, but the Parent-Teacher Association took firm root in the rich soil of worthy ideals and stands today, with a membership of some 50 interested women, a vibrant vital force in the development of our schools.

"There has never been, and much less now, time for oratorical flourishes nor heroic gestures in the work of the P.-T. A: It is just a quiet, well organized force interested in the conservation and development of child life in our community, pledged to the utmost loyalty to and co-operation with our faculty, our school board and our children. Tonight, we renew that pledge in this dedication program.

"As the representative of our local Parent-Teacher Association, I come to you members of the school board, and to you, Mr. Hutcheson, as our valued superintendent, in the fullest measure of appreciation of what you have accomplished in our schools.

For your faithful, understanding, competent discharge of your duties; and for the Parent-Teacher Association, I pledge anew the support and co-operation of our organization. The buildings and equipment you are giving us challenge our best effort, and we ask no greater privilege than to be instruments in the upbuilding of child life in this community through the medium of these splendid schools. I thank you."

Dr. King Vivion, president of Southwestern University at Georgetown, delivered the address of the evening. Doctor Vivion, son of the Reverend Vivion, past pastor of the first Methodist Church, here, re-newed many old acquaintances.

Doctor Vivion likened the new building to the three stones, symbolic of liberty, equality, fraternity. He left with the audience beautiful thoughts of brotherhood, liberty and equality.

Following the ceremonies, a reception was tendered by the Parent-Teacher Association. Refreshments were served on the campus. B. O. Hutcheson, superintendent of the schools, presided.

Daily Tribune, September 1, 1930
 

Bay City Opens $135,000 High School Edifice
By Olen W. Clements, Staff Correspondent Post-Dispatch

BAY CITY, Sept. 11,-Citizens of Bay City, proud of the achievements that have steadily pushed their thriving South Texas community ahead, Wednesday night gathered to celebrate the dedication of their new $135,000 high school building

More than 500 persons assembled in the spacious auditorium of the new high school to hear Dr. King Vivion, president of Southwestern University, deliver the in address of the evening and to listen to three other speakers, all of Bay City, review the progress of schools in this section and prophesy future developments.

The new building, which will accommodate more than 300 high school students was thrown open to residents of this picturesque little gulf coast city and visitors, for inspection.

Reception Follows.

At a reception following the dedication services, members of the architect and school board, the builders of the new educational edifice received the felicitations of the citizens.

The high school building. which was completed last week, makes the third step in the erection of educational buildings in this city since the first school building was constructed in 1901.

The former high school building the past was remodeled during summer and converted into a grammar school as a part of the $175,000 school expansion program contracted by the citizens of this city last October.

Concrete walks encircle the new building. Shell roads of 18-foot widths border the campus, connecting the school with the main highway several blocks.

Dedication services began at 2 p. m. with the Bay City Junior band, composed of high school students, rendering a band concert..

Invocation by Wilson.

Rev. Terry Wilson, pastor of the First Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Vance Porter, member of the school board, delivered the presentation speech. Mayor Pat Thompson, responded and briefly reviewed the hardships that were encountered by the school board in working out a plan by which the city gained the new building.

Mrs. Emma Lewis Carleton, president of the Parent-Teachers Association, congratulated the school board on its building program.

Following the ceremonies, a reception was tendered by the Parent-Teacher Association to the faculty of the school. Refreshments were served on the campus. E. J. Hutcheson, superintendent of the Bay City schools, presided.

Daily Tribune, September 11, 1930
 

John Cherry School (named for the School System Superintendent 1946-1960) opened for the 1930 school year, lauded a dream come true for 300
high school students. The world globe sculpture was saved by alumni before the demolition (January 1987) and is in the Matagorda County Museum.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Sowell and Jane Waldron
 

Civic Leader, Educator John Cherry Dies

Long-time educator and community leader, John Harvey Cherry, died early this morning in Matagorda General Hospital on his 92nd birthday.

Services are pending at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Cherry came to Matagorda County as a teacher in the Collegeport schools in 1934 after receiving his formal education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, the University of Houston and A. & M College, where he gained a certificate as a classer of cotton.

In 1936 he became principal of Jeff Davis Elementary School in Bay City and later became superintendent of the Bay City Independent School District in 1944. He held this position until his retirement in 1960.

During his tenure of teaching and as superintendent, he saw the school district grow from three schools to seven. Memorial Football Stadium was built during these years. Cherry served Region 3 Education Center as a director for many years and John H. Cherry School was named in honor of him in 1962.

Not only a schoolman, he was active in his church and community.

Cherry was a member of the First United Methodist Church, joining in 1937. He served as chairman of the board, education chairman and was an assistant teacher and teacher of the Wesley Men's Class for forty-five years; teaching up to the time of his last illness.

He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Bay City Lion's Club who was one of the originators of the Rice Festival. He served as president of the club and was honored as a life member in recent years. Cherry also served as director of the Crippled Children's Camp in Kerrville.

An avid golfer throughout the years, he played regularly each week through his 91st year.

Survivors include son, Harold of Houston and daughter-in-law, Jackie.

Daily Tribune, January 25, 1983

John H. Cherry

Services will be held for John H. Cherry, 92, of Bay City, 2 p. m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church.

Officiating at the services will be the Rev. LeRoy Stanton.

Cherry died January 25, 1983 at Matagorda General Hospital

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, J. Harold and Jackie Cherry of Houston.

Cherry was a member of the First United Methodist Church, charter member of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, Bay City Lions Club, Men's Golf Association of the Bay City Country Club and the Masonic Lodge.

Burial will follow services at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers include L. A. Augsburger, D. F. Wiginton, Ben Thorpe, Richard Dawdy, Weldon Sullivan and John Woolsey. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Wesley Class and the Bay City Lions Club.

Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, January 25, 1983
 

John Harvey Cherry          Alice Cherry

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Retired School Teacher Dies in Hospital

Mrs. Alice E. Cherry, 87, retired schoolteacher and active member of First United Methodist Church as well as the community, died yesterday at Matagorda General Hospital.

Mrs. Cherry taught school for 20 years with seven being in the Bay City School District and six years in Matagorda County Schools.

Being a charter member of the Woman's Society of Christian Service, she served on various committees and offices. Mrs. Cherry was responsible for the kitchen facilities at Wesley Hall.

She was voted as the Wesley Class Mother of the Year in 1970.

Mrs. Cherry was a member of the Eastern Star since 1925, serving as treasurer for three years.

She was a retired member of the Book Review Club and the Flora Study Luncheon Club serving as various officers.

Mrs. Cherry is survived by her husband John H. Cherry of Bay City.

Mrs. Alice Etoile Cherry

Mrs. Alice Etoile Cherry, 87, died at Matagorda General Hospital on December 26. She was a member of the Easter Star and had been a resident of Bay City since 1936. She was a retired schoolteacher. Survivors include: husband, John Cherry of Bay City; son, Harold Cherry of Houston; sisters, Mrs. Lela Pruett of Baytown and Mrs. Baybelle Buffington of Hearne, Texas. The funeral will be held at the First United Methodist Church on December 28 at 11:00 a. m. The Reverend S. Merle Waters will officiate and interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers include: R. P. Dawdy, Weldon Sullivan, T. A. Castleton, L. A. Augsburger, Ben Thorpe, and Kenneth Kerley. Honorary pallbearers include: Wesley Class and Lions Club. Arrangements made with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, December 27, 1979
 

John Harold Cherry          Jessie Rae Cherry

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Jessie Rae “Jackie” Cherry

Funeral services for Jessie Rae “Jackie” Cherry, 75, of Pearland are scheduled for 2 pm Tuesday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Charles Sonnier officiating.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.

Mrs. Cherry was born July 30, 1911, in Port Lavaca to Ray Williams and Sarah Catherine Reynolds Dierlam and died March 26, 1987, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston.

A resident of Pearland for four years, Mrs. Cherry was a member of the Catholic church. 

Survivors include: four sisters, Mrs. Marguerite Bowyer and Mrs. Gloria R. Erwin of Tampa, Fla., Mrs. Sarah O. Clayton of Orlando, Fla., and Mrs. Jeraldine M. Sanchez of Pascagoula, Miss.; three brothers, Woodson A. Dierlam and Richard Dierlam of Carson City, Nev.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers include: James Banks, Eddie Coufal, O. C. Farmer and Burton LeTulle.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, March 29, 1987        Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

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