  Private Collection of Carolyn West in partnership with The Portal to Texas History, a digital depository hosteb by the University of North Texas Libraries viewed June 6, 2020 Sherman Democrat
Sunday, ___ 27, 1967 Sherman's only all-Negro school closed it doors May 29, 1967 P. W. Neblett, final principal of Fred Douglass, in 1966 Fred Douglass High School, Sherman's only Negro school, will close its doors May 29 and will open next fall as a special education building for exceptional Sherman Public School students. The 155 students at Fred Douglass will be enrolled in other schools in the city. All of the teachers at the All-Negro school have been transferred to fill vacancies in the school system. Probably the first Negro school in Sherman was built in or about 1890. According to P. W. Neblett, principal of Fred Douglass school, and the building was located in north Sherman just off Montgomery Street. The building was destroyed by fire as was the second Sherman School in March 1919. The second Negro school was built on the corner of College and Montgomery Streets. Following the fire that destroyed the school in 1923, students attended class in churches and lodge buildings, Neblett said. When the school was destroyed, school officials decided the new building would be built on the present location. This was about 1924. The new school was to be a large one . . . one with three floors. The walls were of brick and masonry. This building served the black students of Sherman until 1952 at which time the building was razed, making way for the building we know today. The brick one story school was built in section with the first part being completed in 1953. It was in that year that students began occupying a new gym and two classrooms. The remainder of the building was completed in 1957. Roger Harvey, Principal of Bryant School, will move his offices to the Fred Douglass building for the beginning of the 1967-68 session. Harvey will retain his present position and will continue to direct the Special Education Classes. To Senior High  P. W. Neblett, Fred Douglass principal, will move to Sherman High School where he will be an assistant principal. He will be in charge of the High School Annex (now Bryant School). Valedictorian of the last graduating class from Fred Douglass, is Carl V. Cannon Jr. Cannon, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cannon of 1009 N. Music, had an 87 average. Fred Douglass' last salutatorian is Carol Jean Trotter. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. David Trotter, 920 E. Mulberry. Miss . . . .  Fred Douglass School History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |