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In 1909, the San Benito Independent School District formed and, in 1921, established the San Benito Colored School at Commerce and Doherty streets by the railroad tracks. The school opened with African American students taught by certified African American teachers. In 1933, a hurricane severely damaged the school and the one-room schoolhouse was reconstructed with limited resources. Over the years, attendance increased, as did the need for a new facility.
On November 15, 1949, Fannie (Sayon) Callandret (1887-1978) donated land from her estate to the San Benito ISD for the purpose of building a new school for African American students. Fannie and her husband, Jean Marie (Joe) Callandret (1883-1931), both of Louisiana Creole heritage, moved to San Benito from Louisiana in 1908. As a real estate broker, Callandret owned many properties and businesses in the San Benito area in addition to farming. Fannie and Joe had six children who helped the family with their various enterprises. At one point, Callandret subdivided a tract as the Callandret subdivision, but his vision of an African American neighborhood close to a school never materialized. However, Fannie knew his wishes and donated the land for a new school.
In 1951, after a petition was submitted by the African American community, the school district announced that the new school would be named in honor of Joe Callandret. In 1952, a concrete block building was built on the donated Callandret land and opened to the community. At a community open house, guests donated library books, landscaping plants and playground equipment for the new facility. The school district integrated in 1960-61 after many students transferred to Harlingen CISD. The school was then used for training and special education for students of San Benito ISD.
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