Staples Street School is one of the lesser known schools of Corpus Christi, Texas which history has been forgotten with time. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Staples Street School.
Staples Street School was established in 1912 by Corpus Christi Independent School District as a Mexican School and as a branch of Furman School (Edward Furman School). This school was known as "the chicken coop". This school was geared primarily towards Hispanic students. Staples Street School would be located in a 2-story wooden building at this time. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7521088/the-corpus-christi-caller-times/)
Not too many people know this Staples Street School was one of three "ward schools" that were built in 1912 as part of a $50,000 bond issue from 1911 at new construction and remodeling of school properties. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24224108/)
However Staples Street School would not open in 1912. That is because construction of Staples Street School was not completed until August 1913 after Corpus Christi Independent School District board members approved plans. This would rely the opening of Staples Street School.“Names for the three ward schools were chosen in December 1912, but the buildings were not completed and approved until August 1913.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4939849/the-corpus-christi-caller-times/)
Staples Street School would also be referred to as the “Second Ward School” and the “Third Ward School”. Although, however, Staples Street School was most commonly referred to as “Third Ward School” and "the chicken coop". (Ref: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Ella Barnes To Have New Shop Class, Page 21, Sunday, August 1, 1963)
The gymnasium for Staples Street School was quite large and enormous in size. Staples Street School was renown for its large spacious gymnasium. Corpus Christi Caller-Times described the gymnasium as “the spacious confines of the Staples Street school's gymnasium”. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/31217485/)
The school was discontinued in 1915 due to budgetary reasons. This led the school to be shut down for a number of years which is exactly how Staples Street School became abandoned. Years later, Staples Street School would open again on the date of October 27, 1921. The reopening of Staples Street School relieved the crowded conditions at Corpus Christi schools. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-light-oct-27-1921-p-17/)
“Congestion of the Corpus Christi schools were greatly relieved when the Staples Street School opened here Monday. The school has been closed for some time and reopened to take care of the extra pupils that are attending school here this year. One hundred fifty pupils were enrolled at the Staples Street School.”
The Galveston Daily News wrote about the reopening of Staples Street School. That is how news about the reopening of Staples Street School made it to Galveston. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/22156862/)
“The rehabilitated Staples Street School building has been put in use again for the first time since 1919 with three teachers and 120 pupils. This served somewhat to relieve congestion at some of the other buildings and allowed primary classes to attend for the full school day instead of a half day, as hitherto since school opened.”
Staples Street School still continued to operate as a Mexican School throughout the 1920s and 1930s. By 1925, Staples Street School was a widely renown Mexican School.
Beginning in 1970, Staples Street School would serve as an annex for Furman School to alleviate overcrowded conditions at the Furman School and George Evans School. Staples Street School was already operating as an elementary school by then and had no trouble accommodating any extra students. George Evans School (George Evans Primary School) fed into Staples Street School. Staples Street School was a 1-6 school at the time.
Staples Street School was still operating in 1975 and was renown for its large spacious gymnasium. Corpus Christi Caller-Times described the gymnasium as “the spacious confines of the Staples Street school's gymnasium”. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/31217485/)
Staples Street School shut down in 1976. Exactly why Staples Street School was closed down is unknown. The school had been operating as both the Furman School (Edward Furman School) and Staples Street School prior to closure.
Staples Street School no longer exists. The property was sold to Charles W. Austin in 1982 for total price of $700,000 dollars. A Dollar General was constructed north of the main building in 1982. An adult daycare is now in its place along with a Dollar General. (Ref: Nueces County Deeds, Instrument #247405)
Staples Street was ordered to be improved by Ordinance No. 17833 constituted by City Council on September 21, 1983. Staples Street was being widened at that time. (Ref: Nueces County Deeds, Volume 1888, Page 91)
The property was granted to Shannon George on the date of May 14, 1998. A lease for Lloyd E. Innerarity had been ongoing for a year. George B. Barnes sold some of the property back to Shannon George then. Now Shannon George would gain full ownership on May 25, 1998. That is because the sale took time to finalize. Shannon George continues to own the property to this day. (Ref: Nueces County Deeds, Instrument #1998022485)
Staples Street School was located at 619 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78401.
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