History of Spindletop High School in Beaumont, Texas explored.

Spindletop High School is one of the most forgotten schools of Beaumont, Texas. The history of this school has not been well archived or preserved. This news article will explain the history behind Spindletop High School. Spindletop High School was also known as South Park High School and Spindletop School. Those are the names this school operated under.

Spindletop High School was established by the South Park School District in 1915, 5 years after the discovery of oil on the south side of Beaumont. Spindletop High School would open in 1917. Sometime around 1920 is when a separate rectangular wing was built for senior high school students. Upperclassmen were relocated to this wing also.

However Spindletop High School was not your ordinary high school which taught subjects mandated by TEA curriculum requirements. As described in Volume 56 of The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, the lessons being taught were described as “legion” for some apparent reason. “The lessons learned in Spindletop school were legion. Drilling techniques were revolutionized. Howard Hughes' drill bits born here of experience are now used around the world.” (Ref: The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 56, July 1952 - April 1953, Page 573)

So Spindletop High School taught their students how to use drill bits, install oil drill bits, and oil drilling techniques. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly clearly states that students attending Spindletop High School were mainly being educated on how to use oil drill bits. Students as young as elementary schoolers were learning these techniques. College students were learning how to use these techniques in Spindletop Oil Field  and oil fields around the golden triangle area. (Ref: The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 56, July 1952 - April 1953, Pages 573-574)

Southwestern Historical Quarterly reported that Spindletop School was the site of “the spawning ground for the technical know-how used in operating and developing the oilfields that belt the globe” by the 1950s. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101145/m1/677)

Spindletop High School had been renamed to with South Park High School sometime during the mid-20th century. Exactly when Spindletop High School was later renamed to South Park High School is unknown. (Ref: https://archive.broussards1889.com/mobile2/obituary.asp?locid=&id=447)

Today Spindletop High School serves as the campuses for South Park Middle School and South Park High School.

Spindletop High School was located at 4500 Highland Ave, Beaumont, Texas US 77705.