Moore School (Blanche Moore Elementary School) is one of the lesser known schools of Corpus Christi, Texas which has been forgotten. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Moore School. Moore School operated under the names Moore Elementary School and Blanche Moore Elementary School.
Blanche Moore, the Estate of A. L. Moore, and the Estate of Blanche Moore donated land to Sundeen Independent School District (Sundeen ISD) and Corpus Christi Independent School District (Corpus Christi ISD) for an elementary which would be known as Moore Elementary School bka Moore School in 1950.
Blanche Moore Elementary School would be named after Blanche Moore and Mrs. A. L. Dinty Moore as requested by the Estate of Blanche Moore.
Blanche Moore and the Estate of A. L. Dinty Moore gave 2.5 acres of land to the Sundeen Independent School District for construction of an elementary school on the night of February 5, 1951. The land was valued at $4,200. The school was to be named "Blanche Moore Elementary School", in honor of Moore's wife. Blanche Moore gave the deed to the trustees during a board meeting.
Construction for Blanche Moore Elementary School began in 1950 and would not be completed until the end of 1951. Masonry brick was used to construct this building as this building would be constructed to become a masonry building. Blanche Moore Elementary School was originally a six-classroom building housing administrative rooms and a cafeteria. The school would be located on 2.5 acres of a 5 acre tract of land at 5426 Williams Drive in the Gardendale neighborhood. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24116092/)
W. H. Wolters Construction built Blanche Moore Elementary School for a cost of $75,000 after a bond issue was passed in 1951. Davis Construction Co. planned to finish the job by January 1, 1952. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21927952/the-corpus-christi-caller-times/)
“NEW SCHOOL AT GARDENDALE - The new Blanche Moore Elementary School of the Sundeen Independent School District is nearing completion and will open Sept 4. Financed with a $75,000 bond issue, the school was built by the W. H. Wolters Construction Co. federal government has granted $72,500 to build another elementary school in the district, at Koolside Addition. Davis Construction Co. plans to finish that job by Jan 1.”
2 dedication ceremonies for the opening of Blanche Moore Elementary School were held at 7:30 PM and 8 PM on the night of Thursday, December 13, 1951. Local attorney Ed P. Williams delivered the dedicatory address that night. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24116092/)
An addition was built on to the school in 1952 after originally going above its original capacity. This allowed room for 400 students to attend this school. The school had a 400 student capacity in 1952.
Blanche Moore Elementary School was 1-5 school which educated students in grades 1 through 5. 6th grade students and and older students attended Sundeen Junior High School. “The first five grades will be taught at Blanche Moore. There will be two first grades and one of each of the other grades. Sixth graders and older students will attend Sundeen School.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/20933577/)
Blanche Moore Elementary School would be located at 5426 Williams Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78411. 5426 Williams Drive was the given address for the school. (Ref: http://archive.caller.com/news/building-our-future/throwback/throwback-thursday-sundeen-school-district-1954-1c968b37-d3ef-307e-e053-0100007f82b1-322331121.html)
The Estate of A. L. Moore and the Estate of Blanche Moore deeded more land to the City of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi ISD, and Sundeen ISD in 1956 on a right of way deed. (Ref: Nueces County Deeds, Volume 719, Page 593)
1958 was the year Blanche Moore Elementary School and Sundeen Independent School District were consolidated into Corpus Christi Independent School District after voters voted to consolidate Sundeen Independent School District into Corpus Christi Independent School District.
Blanche Moore Elementary School was located at the address of 5426 Williams Drive in 1971. Blanche Moore Elementary School was originally a six-classroom building housing administrative rooms and a cafeteria. However there no air-conditioning. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4879061/1971-augustblanche-moore-elementary/)
“Blanche Moore Elementary School, 5426 Williams Drive, about a long block from South Staples, and south of Padre Island Drive. Masonry building erected in 1951 and annexed in 1958 as part of Sundeen Independent School District. Not air-conditioned; 25 classrooms; satellite cafeteria on bulk-pack lunch. Supervised after-school play period for boys. David Hinojosa, principal on leave to work on his doctorate; Tony Garcia, administrative intern and acting principal this semester.”
Blanche Moore moved to the address of 6121 Durant Durant Drive in 1987 after outgrowing the original campus. Today Blanche Moore Elementary School is now located at 6121 Durant Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78414. (Ref: http://archive.caller.com/news/building-our-future/throwback/throwback-thursday-sundeen-school-district-1954-1c968b37-d3ef-307e-e053-0100007f82b1-322331121.html)
Corpus Christi ISD would sell the land to Charles David Harmon in 1987. Charles David Harmon would sell the land to Target and NBC Bank to become a shopping center in 1987. Blanche Moore Elementary School was demolished in 1988. (Ref: Nueces County Deeds, Volume 2081, Page 530)
The original Blanche Moore Elementary School was located at 5425 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78411 and 5426 Williams Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78411.
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