Brewer W. Key School was one of Galveston’s many schools erected during the 20th century. This news article will explain what Brewer W. Key School was.
Brewer W. Key School was named after lumber builder and educator Brewer W. Key. The school erected on Avenue I & 30th Street was named the Brewer W. Key School in his memory. Through this means, the city has been enabled to acquire and provide playgrounds for the children, and to expand the school system in accordance with the most approved methods (Ref: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~cousinsearching/genealogy/key.html)
"There is no finer thing to say of a man than to say that the children of a city cherish his memory and call him their friend. Such an honor must be earned for the youthful mind has a clarity of vision, unembarrassed by any considerations of expediency. It is rare that an individual attains such distinction, one that has been given Brewer W. Key. Through his generosity it has been possible to provide adequate space for playgrounds in connection with the city schools, adding immeasurably to the well being of the children and affording means of recreation which circumstances had denied in former years."
"In his will, he directed that his entire estate, other than a few small legacies, be given to the city of Galveston for the use of the children of the city, in public school work. The new school erected on 31st Street was named the Brewer W. Key School in his memory. Through this means, the city has been enabled to acquire and provide playgrounds for the children, and to expand the school system in accordance with the most approved methods."
Brewer W. Key School was erected and opened in 1883 as an elementary school. Brewer W. Key School was originally known as the as Avenue L Street School on Avenue L & 31st Street which was actually at Avenue I & 30th Street and Avenue H & 30th Street. The school was already open and fully functioning by 1891. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30182015/)
However some news articles from the Galveston Daily News referred to Brewer W. Key School as the Avenue L Street School even though the school was never located on Avenue L but was actually located at Avenue I & 30th Street and Avenue H & 30th Street. Some say the school was located on 31st Street too. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16846664/)
The original building of Brewer W. Key School was subsequently demolished around 1922. A new building plant for Brewer W. Key School was erected in early 1924. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30141338/)
Avenue L Street School was later renamed to the Goliad School on Avenue I & 30th Street and Avenue H & 30th Street around the beginning of the 20th century. The name of this school was changed to Brewer W. Key School in 1924. However the Brewer W. Key School was still known as and referred to as Goliad School in 1924. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/95444447/)
“In discussing the suggestion presented by Mr. Singer that the new Goliad School be named the Brewer W. Key School after the late Mr. Key. all members .of the board concurred, expressing the regret that the idea was not promulgated by a board member and declaring that it was an oversight”
“The first meeting of the scholastic year of the Parent-Teacher Association of the Brewer Key School, formerly known as the Goliad School, will be held in the school auditorium Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mrs. John L. Sterling, president of the association, hopes that as many of the parents and teachers as possibly can do so will attend the meeting.”
C. E. Lucas was appointed to the position of teacher of shopwork at the Brewer W. Key School in Galveston , beginning the second semester in 1926. Mr. Finley and Ethel Clifford served as principals of this school. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=P0EyAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA54-IA12)
Galveston Daily News reported that Brewer W. Key School was regarded as one of Galveston’s modern schools in 1930. Galveston Daily News called Brewer W. Key School “the beautiful Brewer W. Key School”. The building serving as Brewer W. Key School was the most modern building of schools operated by Galveston Public Schools (now Galveston ISD). (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30141338/)
The Galveston Daily News newspaper reported Brewer W. Key School found a necessary for the proper conduct of an elementary school along the most modern and systematic in 1929. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-feb-10-1929-p-26/)
Brewer W. Key School was proud of the fact that they have won the grammar school football championship for the past season back in 1930. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/rosenberg-other-articles-clipping-jan-18-1930-741127/)
James M. Fendley served as principal of Brewer W. Key School for 57 years from 1883 to 1940 as reported by the Galveston Daily News. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/19974285/)
Looking back 50 years ago
Oct. 29, 1940 - High tribute was paid to James M. Fendley, former principal of Goliad (Brewer W. Key) School, whose record of 57 years of continuous service in one school and at one location is said not to have been equaled anywhere, at a reception held last night at the school, which was attended by hundreds of pupils and former pupils of the veteran educator. The occasion offered the opportunity for presentation of a painted portrait of Mr. Fendley, the work of Elias B. Harris, Galveston artist, which was presented to Goliad School in appreciation of the life service of Mr. Fendley. Students, former students and teachers made the gift possible. Sharing honors with Mr. Fendley was Mrs. Fendley Rev. H..I. Robinson, pastor of First Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Mrs. Bleecker L. Morse opened the meeting and introduced Supt. of School S.B. Graham.
Brewer W. Key School later served as the all-black Central High School from 1958 to 1970 until court-ordered desegregation required all public schools to be racially integrated. Portions of this school served as other schools over time. Elementary and middle school students were attending both attending this school at one point.
1970 was a year that brought significant changes to the school. Brewer W. Key School was renamed to Goliad School again in 1970 and had served as an elementary school from 1970 to 1978.
According to Galveston Daily News, Goliad School was to become Morgan Elementary School in 1978. The school was still operating as Goliad School in April 1978. (Ref: Galveston Daily News, Monday, April 17, 1978)
However this did not happen because Goliad School (Brewer W. Key School) was closed in May 1978 along with George Carver Elementary School and Lovenberg Junior High School by Galveston ISD. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/17328450)
“The school was finally closed in May 1978 along with Goliad (Brewer W. Key), George Carver elementary and Lovenberg Junior High schools. Since that time it has remained abandoned and subject to numerous incidents of vandalism. Present demolition work is being conducted by R&N Contractors which has set a completion date of Aug. 1. Future plans for the site have not formally been announced.”
“Many of the original schools were constructed through the generosity of pioneer Galvestonians, including Henry Rosenberg, George Ball, Isidore Lovenberg, Brewer W. Key and Robert and Mamie Weis. Those original schools are gone now, but their memory lingers in the minds of older Galvestonians, black, white and Hispanic, who obtained their basic educational skills there. Unfortunately, Galveston schools operated for many years under the cloud of segregation. But during those years, local trustees did have the foresight to construct elementary and secondary schools for its black school children. Not many Texas communities could claim such an honor. We salute the Galveston Independent School District for maintaining its standard of quality education for all Galvestonians.”
The school became a middle school which would be known as Central Middle School in 1980. Today the former Brewer W. Key School now serves as a middle school called Central Media Arts Academy which is operated by Galveston ISD.
Brewer W. Key School was located at 3115 Avenue H, Galveston, Texas, US 77550 which is now 3014 Sealy Avenue, Galveston, Texas, US 77550. That was the original address for Brewer W. Key School.
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