History of Lovenburg Junior High School in Galveston, Texas explored.

Lovenburg Junior High School was one of the first middle schools operated by Galveston ISD. Lovenburg Junior High School operated from 1933 to 1979. Much history of this school has been preserved but not told fully. This news article will explain the full history of Lovenburg Junior High School.
 

Lovenberg Junior High School was named after Isadore Lovenberg. He was a member and the president of Galveston School Board in 1893. The school was named in honor of him as the school board decided to name a new school after him. He served on the school board for 30 years as a trustee. (Ref: Pioneer Jewish Texans)

Mrs. Jennie Lovenberg gave a $50,000 dollar legacy to Lovenberg Junior High School in memory of her husband who served as president of the school board for many years, and upon her death left the residue of her estate to the school. The money was used as a nucleus for a teacher retirement fund. Mrs. Lovenberg also donated a portrait of the late Isadore Lovenberg painted by Elias Harris. Upon her death, Mrs. Lovenberg bestowed the bulk of her estate to the school as well as a broach of a miniature of her husband.

Galveston was in much need of a new junior high facility by the late 1920s. Parents demanded for a junior high new school to be built. Galveston voted on a $2,000,000 bond issue in 1929 for a junior high new school. Conditions were already crowded at Ball High School where 8th grade classes were held.

Lovenberg Junior High School was established at the corner of 39th Street and Avenue T near Seawall Boulevard in 1930, located a half-block behind Galveston's famous seawall. The construction period lasted two years from 1930 to 1932. Gieseeke & Harris were architects contracted to build Lovenberg Junior High School. The school was built at a capacity for 1,200 students. The cost of the two story building located at 39th Street and Avenue T was $475,000.

“The board of school trustees was given written assurance in June 1932 by Robert J. Cummins, nationally known consulting engineer employed by the board, that with but a few minor exceptions construction work on the Lovenberg Junior High School was satisfactory and that "the building should prove waterproof In the stormiest of according to a report submitted by Eugene Jackson, school board secretary, to the Chamber of Commerce commitee. The school building is being waterproofed at a cost of which is being contributed by the WPA and by the school board.” 

(Ref: Galveston Daily News, Tuesday, February 22, 1938)


However it was not until 1933 that the first junior high school became a reality. Lovenberg Junior High School opened on the date of January 26, 1933. When Lovenberg Junior High School first opened, it was an all-white school with a huge Jewish population. Lovenberg Junior High School only one junior high school of Galveston, Texas at one point. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Page 20, October 7, 1962)

Grades 7 through 9 were educated at Lovenberg Junior High School. 9th grade students began attending Lovenberg Junior High School due to the overcrowding at Ball High School. Lovenberg Junior High School was a 7-9 school which later on became a 7-8 school. Class periods were one hour a day.

A. E. Dais was the first principal of Lovenberg Junior High for more than 20 years from 1933 to 1954. H. Rudolph Smart served as principal of Lovenberg Junior High School from 1954 to 1972. Mrs. Frances W. Kelley served as vice principal.

Mrs. Jennie Lovenberg showed keen interest in the school that bore her husband's name. Each year on her birthday, the school would hold a celebration in her honor. This tradition continued until her death in 1939.



In February 1946, Lovenberg Junior High School was described as “a magnificent modern school with spacious grounds facing the beach”. The school had a tennis court, baseball field, and a huge gymnasium. Lovenberg Junior High School was that the school sat right on the seawall with a wonderful view of the Gulf of Mexico. Its highly desirable, wonderful beach location was very much appreciated by students, teachers, tourists, and citizens. (Ref: All My Yesterdays, David Gullen)

Lovenberg Junior High School was also equipped with a modern spacious auditorium. The auditorium was reportedly so well equipped and ample to where professional theatrical road companies would rent it to stage their shows, auditions, and productions.

The presentation of the Virginia Barter Theater Repertory, Bernard Shaw's “Arms and the Man”, was one the first known professional productions held at their auditorium which took place in January 28, 1949 at 8:15 PM. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Page 5, Sunday, January 16, 1949)

Another one of the first known professional productions held at their auditorium was You Can’t Take It Home With You. The production took place at the end of January 1950. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Monday, January 30, 1950)

By 1958, the physical condition of Lovenberg Junior High School was reported to be satisfactory. The survey was made by a firm of interested engineers. No further repairs or improvements were further needed.

President Dwight Eisenhower made a visit to Lovenberg Junior High School in 1959. Galveston Daily News reported, “Eisenhower is in no particular rush to get back to the Lovenberg Junior High School.” (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Page 2, Thursday, November 19, 1959)

Mrs. Frances W. Kelley served as vice principal of Lovenberg Junior High School until her retirement in 1965.


Lovenberg Junior High School had a school song. Lyrics to the song went as followed:

Stately as these halls we love
May our ideals be
True and high as skies above
So our loyalty
Our junior high school!
ever let our conduct be
worthy of your dignity
we will pledge to you our best
forever Lovenberg Junior High

(Ref: https://lifestylegroupllc.com/BHS1968/songs.php)


Lovenberg’s football team called the Seagulls. Lillian Cecile Mellina Guyette founded and organized the first Pep-Squad at Lovenberg. She was the teacher-sponsor of “The Seagullettes” (cheerleading group for Lovenberg’s football team called the Seagulls).

(Ref: https://www.galvnews.com/story/186318/)
(Ref: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/glasscock/6580/)


Spanish language classes became a part of the mandatory curriculum in 1967. Texas Education Agency made this a mandatory elective for high schools in the state of Texas during the 1966-1967 school year. (Ref: https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/arrrrr/)

The name of Lovenberg Junior High School was changed to Lovenberg Middle School in 1972. This was because of educational reform in the United States. Lovenberg Middle School was a 6-8 school.

Sterling Patrick was the vice-principal at Lovenberg Middle School from 1972 to 1977. Luther Knebel preceded Sterling Patrick as vice-principal.

Galveston ISD School Board proposed shutting down what was then Lovenberg Middle School in the year of 1975. A combined eighth grade at Central Middle School was planned. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10844807/)

At the end of 1978, Galveston ISD School Board accepted the high bids for the sale of Lovenberg Junior High School and Goliad Elementary School on the night of Wednesday, December 6, 1978. Thomas J. Green, of Green's Funeral Home, had the highest bid of $62,000 for the Goliad School and Lovenberg Junior High School. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Page 1, Thursday, December 7, 1978)



Lovenberg Junior High School closed on the date of January 31, 1979. Many students, teachers, faculty, and citizens were saddened over the closure of Lovenberg Junior High School. Many were upset over the school’s closure. 40,000 students attended the school. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Saturday, March 03, 1979)

A reception in honor of the closing of Lovenberg Junior High School was held from 3 to 5 PM. Past teachers and students, as well as other interested persons, were invited to attend. Special presentations were made at 4 PM in the cafeteria. There was introductions of special guests and a reading of the school's history. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17131305/)

The closing of Lovenberg Middle School has resulted in all 6th and 7th grades being housed in either Stephen F. Austin Middle School or Weiss Middle School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17002552/)

After Lovenberg Junior High School closed, furniture was auctioned off. Cafeteria equipment such as 30-quart mixers and three-tier ovens were sold. Wooden tables, benches, central unit air conditioners, desks, water fountains, dishwashers, and stools were sold. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17136611/)

The property where Lovenberg Junior High School was once located was sold to Gaidos during the same year. Gaidos operated and owned the property for a good 20-30 years.



On Decemeber 19, 1951, the school board adopted a resolution saying that the name of Lovenberg Junior High School shall never be changed. Since that date, the Galveston school board has devoted the income from the assets of the estate of Jennie Lovenberg to the maintenance of Lovenberg Junior High School. The plaintiffs also contend that the Galveston Independent School District in the early part of 1975 proposed closing Lovenberg Junior High School and did close it and on January 31, 1979, adopted a resolution authorizing the sale of the property on which the school is located. The property was sold to Gaidos.

The plaintiffs contend therefore that the school district is no longer owner of the property and the premises known as Lovenberg Junior High School. Therefore since the school district no longer has a Lovenberg Junior High School the plaintiffs contend the use for which the bequest was made has become extinct and the trust has been terminated and the property has reverted by operation of law to the heirs and next of kin of Jennie Lovenberg.”

When the Galveston Independent School District (Galveston ISD) closed Lovenberg Junior High School and abolished its name, it violated terms of a trust which may cost the school district $350,000, according to a lawsuit filed in 212th District Court. The lawsuit was filed against the school district by Max Levy Jr., Marion I. Levy, Rabbi Henry Cohen II, and David Henry Fisch. Technically, the lawsuit is a suit which involves a gift to the school district with a reverter clause.

The plaintiffs contend they are the only living heirs and next of kin to Jennie Lovenberg, who died in Galveston County in 1939. The plaintiffs contend in their lawsuit that Jennie Lovenberg's estate went to the school district on the condition that it be used by the Lovenberg Junior High School. The school was named after Jennie Lovenberg's husband, who was president of the school board for 25 years.

The U.S. National Bank was named trustee for the will. The plaintiffs say they believe the value of the assets held by U.S. National Bank amount to more than $350.000. The lawsuit was filed by Charles B. Smith and Frank Nussbaum, attorneys for the plaintiffs. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17141365/)


Galveston Daily News announced that demolition of the building began about noon on March 29, 1979. The building crumbled before the wrecking ball. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Page 1, March 29, 1979)

Lovenberg Junior High School was caught up in a lawsuit in court over reported trust violations in 1979. The name change was a violation of the resolution stemming from a trust.
“According to the plaintiffs petition, the land was to be used for the sole benefit of the Lovenberg Junior High School and that the name of Lovenberg Junior High School should never be besides that. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Saturday, March 03, 1979)

The rest of Lovenberg Junior High School was torn down after a storm seriously damaged the school building in the year of 1980. All that remains today is vacant land. (Ref: https://activerain.com/blogsview/1753321/an-interesting-tale-about-galveston-s-famous-restaurant--gaido-s-)

The property where Lovenberg Junior High School was once located is where Gaidos was once located as well. Travelodge by Wyndham Galveston now stands where Gaidos once operated. Travelodge by Wyndham Galveston continues to operate as a lodge today.


Lovenberg Junior High School was located at 39th Street & Avenue T near Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, US 77550. The address for Lovenberg Junior High School was 3910 Avenue T, Galveston, Texas, US 77550.