Rosenwald Schools

Matagorda County, Texas
 

There were three two-teacher type Rosenwald Schools built in Matagorda County.
 

The first, Blessing School, was built during 1920-21 in Blessing at a cost of $3300.
 

The second was the Mt. Pilgrim School built in the area of the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church near Cedar Lane. It was built in 1922-23 at a cost of $4750. The Mt. Pilgrim School was built with the Nashville Plan: North or South Facing B. Facts About the School Districts, The Matagorda County School Annual, Volume I, 1926-27, by Superintendent Claire F. Pollard included a report about the Mt. Pilgrim School. Mt. Pilgrim, two-teacher, 37 pupils, 7 grades, a Rosenwald building, well furnished and in good repair, some gardening and some industrial work done.
 

The third, Shiloh School, was also built in 1922-23 on two acres of land near Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. The cost was $4900. The school was later renamed “The Mabel Kennedy School.” Facts About the School Districts, The Matagorda County School Annual, Volume I, 1926-27, by Superintendent Claire F. Pollard included a report about the Mt. Pilgrim School. Mabel Kennedy, two teachers, 8 months' term, 50 pupils, 8 grades, two-room Rosenwald building in good repair, two acres of ground, attendance 5125 days.

“THE MABEL KENNEDY SCHOOL”

Cedar Lane, Texas. Jan. 10.—Inasmuch as our excellent board of trustees and our most esteemed ex-superintendent, Miss Kennedy, have labored so earnestly to better the conditions of the colored schools of Matagorda County and have succeeded in erecting a beautiful three-room school, have requested the honor of said superintendent to name our school for her. This act having been willingly approved by the president of the board of trustees of district one. I, Willie (Hilliard) Cooper, principal of said school, declare that it shall no more be called Shiloh, but hereafter be known as, “The Mabel Kennedy School.

The Matagorda County Tribune, January 12, 1923

For more information see

Columbia School Video - Neighboring Brazoria County