History of Galveston Colored Public School explained and explored.

Galveston Colored Public School one of the many forgotten negro schools and colored schools in Galveston history that has been forgotten and disappeared with time. This news article will explain and explore some of the history of Galveston Colored Public School.


Galveston Colored Public School was a school built and organized by Galveston ISD to serve and educate African American students in Galveston, Texas. Galveston Colored Public School was constructed in 1876 entirely out of wood on a 5,160 square foot lot. Galveston Colored Baptist Church donated building materials for Galveston Colored Public School along with a few neighbors.

Galveston Colored Public School was a well known public school in 1877. According to a Sanborn ma from 1877, Galveston Colored Public School was house in a single story wooden frame building next to what was then Galveston Colored Baptist Church, and is now Avenue L Baptist Church, at the address of 3808 Avenue L, Galveston, Texas. Galveston Colored Public School sat literally a stones throw away from Galveston Colored Baptist Church. Both Galveston Colored Baptist Church and Galveston Colored Public School had been located near the intersection of Avenue L & 27th Street. (Ref: Galveston Sanborn Map 1877, Block 86)

Enrollment at Galveston Colored Public School grew by 1877 within a 10%-20% increase in student attendance. The school had a sizable annual enrollment

However a tornado completely destroyed the school building in 1883. According to the Galveston Daily News, this building was moved about 10 feet from its foundation and was badly damaged to necessitate demolition. The building next to the Baptist Church was used as/for the colored public school. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24063947/)

“This building was moved about ten feet from its foundation and so badly damaged that it will have to be torn down. Just across the street stood a large frame church belonging to a congregation of colored Baptists and used for the colored public school.”


Galveston ISD sold the property to Avenue L Baptist Church in 1885. All of the 5,160 square foot lot was acquired by 1886. The church would use this property for their Sunday School services. Avenue L Baptist Church sold the property and building to Thomas J Green on a gift deed and warranty deed in 1949.

Some 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom apartments were built on the Galveston Colored Public School site in 1950. Approximately 1,114 square feet of floor space was included inside of these apartments. (Ref: https://www.trulia.com/p/tx/galveston/2606-avenue-l-galveston-tx-77550--2070086598)

Thomas J Green managed the apartments for several years until he got tired of managing the property. Thomas J Green sold the property on a special warranty deed to Richard Denson in 1998. Richard Denson is the current owner of the former Galveston Colored Public School property. Today apartments on a pier foundation are located on this 5,160 square foot lot. (Ref: https://propaccess.trueautomation.com/clientdb/Property.aspx?cid=81&prop_id=100851&year=2021)

Galveston Colored Public School was located at the address of 3808 Avenue L, Galveston, Texas, US 77550. The current address for Galveston Colored Public School is 2606 Avenue L, Galveston, Texas, US 77550.