Bath Avenue Public School is one of the more well known historic schools of Galveston, Texas. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Bath Avenue Public School. Bath Avenue Public School was also known as Rosenberg Avenue Public School and Bath Avenue School. Bath Avenue Public School operated as a primary school for Galveston Public Free Schools (Galveston ISD). 
Bath Avenue Public School was built in 1884 by an architect named Thomas A Henry at total cost of $1,193.40. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/22274126/)
“The committee on school property reported the payment of $1,193.40 to Thomas A Henry on the Bath avenue school, being the total amount due on the building, except $50 retained until the roof is tested. The action of the president and secretary in Issuing warrant for the amount was confirmed.”
Bath Avenue Public School was shut down in 1891 and had reopened in 1892 for unknown reasons. Most likely due to funding issues. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/21760552/)
Bath Avenue Public School relieved overcrowding at Second District school directly and the Rosenberg School indirectly. However the building needed some repairs but was in good condition in general.
“This school will relieve the Second District school directly and the Rosenberg school indirectly. The removal of some of the grammar grades from the Ball high school will be Indirectly promoted by the opening of this school.”
In 1893, Bath Avenue Public School was many of the following schools were fixed at $35 per month during the 1893-1894 session. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/21761384/)
“In each of the following schools were fixed at $35 per month during the session of the schools and $10 per month during vacation: East colored school, colored high school, West district colored school, Bath avenue school.”
In 1893, Harry Huntt Ransom he was promoted to a vice principalship at the Bath Avenue School, but was obliged to add to his earnings by teaching at a night school for boys. (Ref: https://utpress.utexas.edu/books/grihar)
Bath Avenue Public School re-opened as a primary school for children in the first three grades (grades 1-3) in the year of 1895. Consequently Bath Avenue Public School boasted an appearance of a kindergarten due to the you age of students enrolled. The teachers and pupils were all of the negro race. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/20707742/)
“This school is only for children in the first three grades, and consequently has boasts of an appearance of a kindergarten.”
The grades assigned to the Bath Avenue School were distributed among the three nearest schools. It has been necessary to form eight half day sessions in the Second and Third Districts in consequence of this distribution. This respect until the Bath Avenue School could be re-opened, and on motion all applications were referred to the committee on teachers. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/21763927/)
Mr. Henry Lovenberg called the attention of the superintendent due to the bad conditions at Bath Avenue School in 1896. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/20275753/)
“Upon motion of Mr. Lovenberg the matter was left to the discretion of the committee on course of study and the superintendent, with power to act. Mr. Lovenberg sold that he would have 'to call the attention of the board to the very bad condition of the approaches of the Bath avenue and avenue L schools. He said that the condition was such that it was almost Impossible for chlldren to get to school in wet weather.”
Bath Avenue Public School was almost wrecked and badly damaged during the Storm of 1900. Fortunately no people were killed. Overall Bath Avenue Public School was badly damaged due to being ripped open by the storm. Bath Avenue Public School is place where many residents and citizens took refuge and were saved at during the Storm of 1900. (Ref: https://www.galvestonhistorycenter.org/research/g-1771-ff5-1-10)
One entire wall of the Bath Avenue School dropped away, exposing a collapsed third floor with pupils' desks still attached in neat rows. Desks remained attached to the floor of the Bath Avenue School after the 1900 Storm hit Galveston Island on September 8, 1900. The school closed permanently after the storm had passed through and deterred away. (Ref: https://www.cram.com/essay/1900-Hurricane-Research-Paper/FJJ7XZWV3T)
Bath Avenue Public School would be rebuilt years later down the line after removal of the damaged school building was complete. Bath Avenue Public School reopened after the grade raising in 1908.
Bath Avenue School was reorganized into a white school for white students only in 1912. This decision was made by Galveston ISD.
“Bath Avenue School, Twenty-fifth street and Avenue P, is one of the small buildings used by the white schools. This section of the city will likely grow-within the next few years, however, and more room will be needed.”
Galveston ISD School Board held an election to rename Bath Avenue School in 1913. Mr. Henry Rosenberg felt that Bath Avenue School was a misnomer. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-apr-03-1913-p-4/)
“As Headquarters for the election of the to by the Board referred to president True of electing names for the new name for the Bath Avenue school. As Bath Avenue has been formally christened Rosenberg was saying he felt it was that Bath Avenue School was a misnomer.”
A permit was issued to construct a brick addition to Bath Avenue Public School at a cost of $13,000 dollars in 1914. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=8t41AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA10&lpg=RA4-PA10)
Bath Avenue Public School was renamed to Sam Houston Elementary School in 1918. A new section of the building was opened the year Miss Rosenberg and Mrs. Smith began teaching there. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30139114/)
“Sam Houston is one of the oldest schools in the city. Known as Bath Avenue School 4n Its early years, It was partially destroyed by the 1900 storm.”
An Arlan's Market currently occupies the site where Bath Avenue Public School once stood and is currently under construction.
Bath Avenue Public School was located at 25th Street and Avenue P, Galveston, Texas, US 77550.
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