History of Colburn School in Orange, Texas explored and explained.

Colburn School was one of the most well known schools of Orange County and Orange, Texas. Colburn School was an elementary school called Frank Colburn Elementary School / Colburn Elementary School which operated from 1944 to 1966.

1943 was the year Colburn School was erected. Colburn School was erected and constructed by the FPHA along with two other elementary schools in the Riverside neighborhood. This school was built to alleviate overcrowding in other grade schools. Colburn School was one of three schools erected using federal funds. There was only one principal in charge of the entire school. Miss Josephine Linn was the principal. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth558062/m1/4/)

Josephine Linn said, “Colburn School is the best school in the world. Colburn kids are the best. She believed that all children could learn. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth312902/m1/50/)

1944 was the year Colburn School first opened as an elementary school. An open house was held from 3 PM to 5 PM on the afternoon of Sunday, February 13, 1944. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth142903/m1/1/)

 

Colburn School was named in honor of Frank Monroe Colburn, a local resident who was lost his life in the South Pacific during World War II whilst serving as a soldier. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=syZDE5pBzjoC&pg=PR44)

 

However Colburn School had constant problems with student turnover rate as the school was located in a temporary housing unit. No other schools in Orange had problems like this one. Daily attendance rates fluctuated and varied at given times. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth558995/m1/3/)

It was recommended by the Texas Research League, Austin in May 1960 that Colburn Elementary School be abandoned or replaced at the earliest opportunity. The school was built in a substandard condition at every aspect despite built using federal funds and being built at federal expense. The substandard conditions which compromised the condition of the school. (Ref: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED037013.pdf)


Orange Common School District/Orange ISD shut down Colburn School in 1966 due to declining enrollment and the substandard conditions which compromised the structural integrity and physical condition of the building. Colburn School became vacant after being shut down. 

 

 
Orange Common School District/Orange ISD trustees discussed the disposition of tile old Colburn Elementary School and considered the building to be surplus property in 1968. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-aug-28-1968-p-36/)

“The conference was held. The trustees also discussed the disposition of tile old Colburn elementary school which is located on 3.381 acres just off Simmons drive. Huff reported that the First Baptist Church had asked for the building for use as a Mission. The building had been condemned by the common school district.”

However nothing happened with the building. The school was demolished by contractors for Orange Common School District/Orange ISD some time in 1980 during the 1980-1981 school year.

Colburn School was located on Turret Road, Orange, Texas, US 77630.