Not much history is known or can found out about the Masterson School (Masterson Elementary School) in Laredo, Texas. It appears as if Masterson School is one of the few forgotten schools of Laredo, Texas in tact. This news article will attempt to explain the history behind Masterson Elementary School.
Dr. Lawrence Wright and Norman Clark were among prominent landowners of Webb County who donated land for some of the earliest school campuses. Masterson School was established on some of that land own by them.
Masterson School was first called Johnson School aka Johnson Elementary School and was operated by Johnson Common School District. Johnson Common School District was a former common school district in south Laredo responsible for operations and funding of this school. Johnson School was located on US 83 of what was considered the outskirts of South Laredo.
In the very beginning, Johnson School only educated students in grades 1st through 6th. Grades 7th and 8th were added during the mid-20th century. However Johnson School primarily educated students in grades 1st through 7th.
However it was not long until Johnson School would be consolidated. Representatives of Johnson Common School District held meetings in regards to being consolidated into Laredo ISD at during the very beginning of the 1960s.
The beginning of United Independent School District (United ISD) grew out of a meeting May 3, 1961 at the Johnson School. (Ref: Laredo Morning Times, Things are going well for UISD, Saturday, September 25, 2010)
Attorney George Byfield served on the Laredo ISD school board. George Byfield warned representatives of the then-three common school districts (Cactus, Johnson, and Nye) of the state’s recommendation that the Laredo Independent School annex unless the common districts organized into an independent school district.
(Ref: Laredo Times, April 1 School Election Ballots To Be Impounded, March 23, 1961)
After citizens voted for Johnson Common School District to be consolidated and after the state’s recommendation, Johnson School became a part of Laredo ISD. Johnson Common School District was consolidated into Laredo ISD on April 2, 1961. (Ref: Laredo Times, Page 1, Monday, April 03, 1961)
A small portion of Johnson Common School District was consolidated into United ISD. The end result was one half of Johnson Common School District being consolidated into Laredo ISD and the other half being consolidated into United ISD.
At some point during the 20th century, Johnson School aka Johnson Elementary School was renamed to Masterson School aka Masterson Elementary School. Although this school is now known as the Masterson School, many longtime residents of Laredo refer to the school as Johnson School.
Sometime during the latter end of the 20th century is when Masterson School was abandoned by United ISD. Exactly when is unknown. Today the school is now abandoned. Some of its windows are missing.
Masterson Elementary School is located at Cielito Lindo Boulevard & US 83, Laredo, Texas, US 78046.
No comments:
Post a Comment