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Opening in 1914, the Lorraine Crosby School served as an educational stepping stone for the African American children of Hitchcock. In 1903, the first school was held in the home of Louis Brown. Later, the Galilee Baptist Church offered a small annex on “Little Ben’s Farm” over the bayou and then the church auditorium. In 1910, four members of the church home missionary society discussed a more permanent home for the school near the Santa Fe Railroad. The school board agreed to build a school if the community purchased the lot. To purchase the property, citizens sponsored fish fries and other fundraisers. In 1914, the lot at 7801 Burns Street was purchased. The city built a school and it opened as Hitchcock Colored School. One notable teacher and principal of the school was Mrs. Lorraine Crosby. She instilled high standards and strength in her students and, in 1949 after her death, the school was named in her honor. By 1952, the school footprint expanded with additional facilities for the growing school and again in 1959. Prior to 1956, students wishing to continue their education in high school had to transfer to Galveston or La Marque. Even though funds were limited or non-existent for supplies and activities, staff, parents and community members helped meet the needs of the students. As a result, Lorraine Crosby School had a football team, track team, basketball team and a boy scout troop. The first graduating class was in 1960 and the last was in May 1965. In 1966, the schools integrated and the Lorraine Crosby School became a middle school for a short time. At a time when African American schools had few resources, Lorraine Crosby School was an integral part of the community and will live on in the community’s memory as their educational beginning. |
