History
 

THE HISTORY OF
FLORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

1880's -1910's   |  1920's    |   1930's  |   1940's   |  1950's    
1960's  |  1970's  |  1980's

The following history was published in the What's Cookin' FHS? cookbook by the Business Professionals of America in 1990.  These cookbooks can still be purchased for $5.00 by contacting FHS Business Professionals of America.

Introduction

The growth of Floresville High School correlates with the growth of a rural community in America during the 20th century.  The social attitudes, educational philosophy, facilities, and extracurricular activities have undergone a great deal of change. Through it all, however, the importance of the welfare and education of our youth has remained constant.

  The following is only a summary of the development of our high school over the past 100 years.  This information was obtained through local newspaper records, available school publications and verbal interviews with former graduates and faculty.  While by no means complete, the data is as factual as possible.  The compilation of historical data on FHS was complicated by the fact that school publications have not been saved on campus in the past.  To help begin a school archives, any reader willing to donate either originals or copies of past FHS publications is encouraged to contact me.

A special thanks to Debbie Carter and the Wilson County Historical Society, the Sam Fore Jr. Wilson County Library, Floresville Chronicle-Journal, Mr. Robert Stevens (Class of 1941 and former FHS Principal), Mrs. Laura Atkins Svoboda (Class of 1933), Mrs. Jewel Woolsey, Mr. Wilbert Teltschik (Class of 1939), and Mr. Edwin Johnson (Class of 1927).

by Connie Turner, 1990

  1880's -1910's

According to local historical records, in 1900, Wilson County had 63 public schools.  One of these was Floresville Public School, which was begun as Floresville Academy in 1880.  The first recorded graduates were in 1898 when three individuals received diplomas. No more graduates were recorded again until 1902, when six students graduated.

According to the Second Annual Catalogue of Floresville Public School 1896-97, the school offered 10 grades.  High school department curriculum consisted of: First Grade--Mental arithmetic, algebra, physiology, civil government, Latin grammar and reader, and debating.  Second Grade--Plane geometry, physics, mental and moral science, mental arithmetic, Caesar, debating, essays.

School consisted of two eighteen-week terms. Holidays were Thanksgiving Day, Christmas week, Arbor Day, and San Jacinto Day.  Tuition was charged in each department, with the high school department charging $2.50 per month.  "To be entitled to a diploma from the school, the student must make a general average of 65 per cent in all the branches, Included in High School department, falling not lower than 60 per cent in any one branch.”

School rules included: (1) Students were not allowed to attend any socials from Monday morning until Friday evening;  (2) Students were not allowed to loiter on the streets either in coming or returning from school; (3) Students had to devote a portion of each day to homework;    (4) Profane or obscene language was not allowed on school grounds or on roads to or from school.

The school was located on the Corpus Christi-San Antonio highway (now known as Fourth Street or 181 Business Loop).  It consisted of a two-story, six room wooden building and several out buildings. Most students walked to school, rode their horses, or came in buggies.  Sometime near the turn of the century, a second wood-frame building was constructed and used until 1912. All grades met in the same building. Students "marched" into class and outside to recess each day to piano music. Graduation was held in the Opera House (located on "B" Street) during those years.  The PTA was organized in 1908.  The PTA, The Mothers Club, and Floresville High School Alumni Association were active organizations, which sponsored various events for the students for many decades.

In 1913, a two-story brick building with a basement was constructed at a cost of $20,000 to house the 4th-11th grades. The basement was used for showers and science classes. The building was known for its fire escape, which went straight to "A" Street from the top floor.  First grade, upper first, second and third grades were taught across the street in a wood frame building. Other facilities at the high school consisted of separate playgrounds for boys and girls. The girls had a basketball court and a large gazebo on their side of the playground while the boys had a baseball field, swings, and a large school bell. Each classroom was heated with a wood stove. A huge woodpile and stables were located where the current Forister Center is now.  The city water tower was located on the corner where the current superintendent's offices are housed.  Faculty training started during the first week of September and lasted one week prior to the beginning of school.

For several years, the Floresville Chronicle published a high school booklet called THE COURIER. It had been prepared and edited by the students. THE COURIER of 1910 states that Floresville High School had "become affiliated with the State University to the extent of 12 credits." The booklet contained news, prose, jokes, and advertisements.

Homemaking was offered for a short period of time but was discontinued. The school had a glee club during that era.

Football was organized in 1914.  The games were held west of town, across the railroad tracks behind the present peanut scales.  This location came to be known as “old ball park". Having no bleachers, spectators ran back and forth on the sidelines to watch the game on the dirt fields.  The original school colors were black with yellow stripes and their mascot was the kangaroo.

1920's  

During the 1920's, the school population continued to grow.  Electricity was added to the school.  A privately owned electric company was built next to the water tower on the school property.

In 1921, the school newspaper was The Wig - Wag. It was written by the students and printed by The Chronicle. Also In 1921, school sports consisted of girls' and boys' basketball, football, and baseball.

In 1922, the high school faculty totaled three.  The principal also taught Latin and math. There was an English teacher, and a teacher of science and history.  Graduation was now held at the Methodist Church.  A very dignified affair, graduation included a formal welcome for all seventh graders coming into high school and a response from a seventh grade representative. To be exempt from mid-term exams, a student needed an average of 90 in all subjects as well as deportment.

It was quite common at that time for students to attend only the lower grades.  Many area schools were open in the county--Sunnyside, Camp Wood, Borego, Sutherland Springs, Webbville, Keese, Fairview, etc.  Age was not a factor in classes. Students started school between the ages of 6-8 and graduated after completing eleven grades at ages 16- 18. It was also common for students to quit a year to work and then return later to classes. At that time, most of the students in the high school were college bound.

American schools were segregated during this period; the local black population attended a one-room colored school called Dunbar (on Trail Street).  It had only one teacher, and students attended this school for their entire education.  In 1926, money became available to build a now one-room school for the black students.

In 1926, a major facility was added to the school system.  A new high school building was built at the corner of 'A" and Fourth Streets.  It was built at a cost of $31,300 and consisted of five classrooms, one large study hall, a science room, a superintendent’s office, cloak rooms and indoor bathrooms in the two-story section.  Also, a one-story auditorium with ample stage, dressing rooms and a large seating capacity was built attached to the school. The lower grades were then held in the old high school building and in the one-story wooden building, which had been moved across the street and placed on a new foundation on Third Street.

The Class of 1927 was the first to graduate from the new auditorium.  The auditorium was also used for grammar school graduation and other events.  In 1925, the Floresville School Orchestra was organized. About 1926, the music pupils of a local piano teacher hold a pantomime of the story of "Dick Whittington." Admission was 15 and 25 cents, and the proceeds went to the school piano fund. Private music lessons were available after school on the elementary campus.

Athletics continued to grow.  The football team of 1921 had "new togs, shoes, and gear." However, the players had to take their shoes to Vela's Saddle Shop to have cleats put in them. New shower stalls were added to the schoolhouse for the athletes. Football games were still held at the "old ball park" and admission was 15 cents for students and 35 cents for adults.   Track meets were held at the county fairgrounds, east of town.  In the spring of 1921, Floresville sent a track team to the state meet for the first time. By 1926, the colors of maroon and white and the Tiger mascot had been adopted. The football team of 1926 got new uniforms sporting the now colors. Football practice was now held along "A" Street (where the gym Is today).  Pep rallies were hold at the Pershing Theatre (where the Wilson County News is now located on "C" Street.) Basketball was played on outside courts.

1930's  

Despite the Depression, residents continued to emphasize the importance of education for their children.  In 1930, the PTA purchased six new typewriters for the commercial classes.  The Alumni Association continued to honor the graduates with banquets. Most banquets were held at the Methodist Church.  Also, Floresville was represented at the State Interscholastic meet in boy's declamation.

By 1933, the high school faculty had grown to six teachers.  Curriculum included:  history, English, Spanish, two years of Latin, mathematics, commercial, and science, including physics. A coach was on the staff, but no formal physical education classes were taught.  The majority of the social life of students revolved around the school.       All classes went on picnics.  Each also sponsored an annual class play. Admission fees of 25 cents and 35 cents were charged, and plays were held in the auditorium. Floresville students attended and won the 1933 Wilson County Interscholastic meet (Floresville sent a representative to state in girls' declamation).

Organized school dances were not allowed.  Senior activities during May 1933 included a picnic at the Connally Ranch, a barn party (where classmates played bunco), a class day at Landa Park in New Braunfels, a Junior-Senior Banquet at the White House Cafe (now the Pizza Garden), and separate baccalaureate and commencement exercises.  A booklet, The Loudspeaker, was typed and printed by the typing classes.  This served as a yearbook for the students.  The class prophecy and will were printed in the Floresville Chronicle.

In 1935, agriculture education was started. The R. L. Eschenburg Agriculture Building was constructed on Railroad Street. The Agriculture building no longer stands.  However, the ag students of the late 30's built a rock wall along Third Street, which is still there.

In 1939, The Martha Eschenburg Homemaking Cottage was completed.  It was beautifully constructed, with all of the modern conveniences of the time. This building, as well as the ag building, was built as a joint effort of the Eschenburg family and the Works Progress Administration. The homemaking cottage was the site of many athletic and other banquets.  This building is now the location of the present Superintendent's Offices.

A pep squad in 1932 performed on the field at half- time--they formed the letters "T" and "F" wearing maroon capes and maroon and white overseas caps. The first football team to win district and bi- district was the Tiger team of 1933.  They lost to Weslaco at regionals.

In the 30's, the school still had an orchestra.  A citywide band, called the Tiger Band, consisted of private students and businessmen. The Tiger Band played at all football games and pop rallies.  In 1937, The Floresville School Band was organized. The first marching contest was won in 1939 at Yorktown.

The athletic council sponsored fund raising activities to benefit the athletic department.  The Arcadia Theatre featured a "football thriller--Joe E. Brown in Maybe its Love” with proceeds going to the athletic fund. In 1932, the athletic council had a "Negro mock wedding and divorce trial" and a school carnival at the high school auditorium for fund raising purposes. Also in the early 30's, Reichert-Cooke Entertainers brought a program of Texas legends, stories, readings and one-act plays to the auditorium, with proceeds going to the athletic fund.

   1940’s  

The World War caused a reduction of many activities for students during the early 40's.   Fewer banquets or other special events were hold.  Ag was not offered during 1944 because a teacher could not be found. Patriotism ran high among students. Students had frequent assemblies in the auditorium with war news read during the programs.  The Class Motto of 1942 was "On to Victory" with red, white, and blue as class colors.

The band grew in popularity and numbers. They won a first division rating at their first UIL marching contest in 1940 and the first sweepstakes rating in 1941.  During the years 1942-44, the band won the State Victory Bond Concert Contest for outstanding work in the field of music for raising over half a million dollars from the sale of Victory Bonds and Stamps in a total of 13 concerts.

The county fairgrounds had been east of town for many years (near the present highway to Stockdale, Hwy. 97E).    These fairgrounds contained a race track, dance hall, and rodeo arena.  The property was used as a location of a CCC camp during the Depression. In 1941, the school district acquired the property. A portion was sold, which is now the location of Winn's and several subdivisions, and the remainder is the location of our present high school campus.

The school used the fairgrounds for athletic events before World War II.  The athletes used to walk from the high school down "A" Street, through a wire gap (near the present Hoelscher's) to run track and practice football.  Football games were held adjacent to Trail Street on what is now US 181. Spectators sat in grandstands, and the old dance hall at the fairgrounds served as a dressing room for the players.  The football field was also used for fast pitch softball during the summer months.  The construction of US 181 forced the school to move its football field to the present location.  A barracks was moved to the east and of the field and used as a dressing room for the football players. It was the responsibility of the coach to use the wringer washer to wash the uniforms and hang them out to dry on the clothesline on Saturday.  The coach’s wife had to mend any holes in the players' uniforms.

The school considered playing six-man football in 1944, but chose eleven-man instead.   The Tiger football team won district in 1944, 1946, 1947, and 1948. In 1949, a player was selected to the "South Texas Iron Man Team."  The 1948 team traveled to Victoria to defeat Port Lavaca for the bi-district title. The majority of the town followed the football team to Victoria for that playoff on a special train. Round trip fare was $2.93 for adults and $1.50 for children. The PTA sold sandwiches and cold drinks on the train.  The regional game was against San Felipe.  It was played in Floresville and the Tigers lost.  The PTA honored the 1948 football team with a dinner.

In 1947, In addition to district football champs, the girls' volleyball, boys' track, senior girls' softball, junior boys' volleyball, and junior and senior boys' softball also went to district!

A polio scare in May of 1946 caused school officials to close school early.  Graduation was cancelled. After about ton days, diplomas were issued to students.  In 1948, the high school faculty had grown to 11 members. This included the superintendent and principal, who both taught Classes.

The "Tiger Haven" was in operation during the late 40's.  This was located downtown in the present Wright's Cafe. The haven was a place for students to meet, socialize, and dance. It housed a jukebox and pool table, and sodas were served.  Sponsors were there when it was open, and student body members served as "mayor" and officers of the Haven Council.

A publication called the Tiger Tattler was typed on campus during this decade. The News Club sponsored it. Also, the first annual, The Tiger's Claw, was printed in 1948, under the sponsorship of the senior class.  Other organizations on campus that year wore student council, Tiger Haven council, PASF, FFA, FHA, pop squad, and cheerleaders (which included two boys).  The largest organizations on campus were FFA and FHA. They each had many officers, including song leaders.

By 1946, the district had two buses. They went to Midway and Camp Ranch.   However, it was not uncommon for parents of students who lived out in the country to convert their pickup trucks into homemade buses to bring students into town daily to attend school.

The new cafeteria was opened in 1949. For the first time students could buy hot lunches on campus.  It was a barracks-type building located on the elementary campus.

 Bonds were approved in 1947 in the amount of $60,000 to build a new gym and auditorium. It took several years for the gym to be constructed.  When finished, it contained modern dressing rooms, a stage, and ample seating for 800.  Until its completion, however, the basketball teams drove to Poth daily to use the Pirate gym for practices.

1950's  

School growth necessitated the construction of another high school in 1953 on the old fairgrounds. It contained modern classroom facilities, a library, and offices.  This is our present "Main Building". A second wing was opened two years later (Rooms 12- 17). The total cost of the building was $200,000. Since cafeteria facilities were still on the elementary campus, students who did not bring their lunches rode a school bus to the cafeteria daily. The cafeteria was damaged by fire and was closed for a while during 1955-56.

In the early 50's, school districts were consolidated to provide better educational opportunities. Many of the smaller schools were closed at this time, and racial integration began.

Other facilities added to the now high school campus included the Agriculture Building In 1956 and the band hall and concession stand in 1955.  The band hall had a shower house for visiting teams.

Physical education classes were often hold outside across Trail Street, where the junior high is now located.  The gym facilities at the old high school were still used for basketball games.

The FHS girls' basketball team did not have an official mascot. A San Antonio Express-News Reporter in 1952 called them the Golden Girls. During the school year 1953-54, the student council sponsored a vote to name the girls' team mascot. Although the name 'tigerettes" was considered, the name "Jaguars" won. The Jags basketball team won district and bi-district in 1955.

Tiger football teams won district in 1952, 1954, 1955, and 1956. The 1955 team also won bi-district and lost at regionals to Weslaco. The 1955 girls' tennis won first in district and regionals, but lost at state.

A May Fete was sponsored each year by the band and PTA.  It was a formal coronation of a queen, selected by popular vote of the senior class.  There were representatives from each club and class on campus in the ceremony.  There were also representatives from each grade in school (beginning with first grade). For approximately 20 years, these coronations were hold in the auditorium on A Street or on the football field.  The May Fete was also remembered for having elementary children dance around a May pole.

School proms were hold in the gym. The theme from 1954's prom was "A Night In Outer Space." The 1955 prom had a theme of "The Pink Elephant Club." Prom servers dressed as cigarette girls. Senior Day of 1957 was spent at Padre Island.

During this decade, clubs an campus Included: Science Club, Glee Club, Library Club, Kurtain Kallers, FHA, FFA, and Student Council.  The Tiger Tattler was now a monthly magazine. There were two boy cheerleaders in 1952.  Favorites Included "Most Attractive" and "Most Versatile."

1960’s  

The need for additional facilities was met with the Lawhon Gymnasium, opened in 1962.  (This was named for Zane Lawhon, former board member.) The Wiley Seale Auditorium was completed in 1963. (Wiley Seale had been an administrator for many years).

A building to house junior high students was built in 1962 along Railroad Street. It is now known as the Annex Building. The remainder of the outlying elementary schools (Saspamco, Lodi, and Fairview) was closed.  All rural children came to Floresville to attend school.

Curriculum additions included Auto Mechanics and Building Trades in 1960. Students needed a passing grade of 70 in classes. An "A' was considered 93- 100.

The largest club on campus was FHA. Membership in 1961 was 130.  It was still the campus's largest organization in 1967, with 102 members. Other clubs during that decade included High School Choir, Future Business Leaders of America, Speech Club, Kurtain Kallers, Library Club, and Science Club.  A new club, Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, was formed in 1968 to provide tutoring for younger classmates and to substitute for teachers.   Having been absent for several years, another Student Council was formed in 1967.

Campus publications were the annual, Tiger Tattler, and Tiger Tales.  The first prom king and queen were chosen in 1969. In 1968, FHS placed fourth at state in Persuasive Speaking and Journalism.

The Jaguars were district champs in volleyball in 1962, 1964, 1967, and 1969. The Jags basketball team went to bi-district in 1964 and tied for district in 1967. In 1968, the track team won fifth at state in shot put.

The 1963 band went to the state fair In Dallas and won first in marching in Pearsall for state contest. The Floresville High School Band also led the inaugural parade at the inauguration of Governor John Connally.

The Tiger basketball team was district co-champ in 1963. They won district in 1964-65. Boys' volleyball also won district that year. The football team won district championship in 1964.

1970’s  

The new junior high building and cafeteria were completed across Trail Street in 1971.   The new cafeteria meant students no longer had to take a bus to the elementary campus to buy a lunch. The high school expanded into the annex building.  Four additional classrooms (the history wing) were also completed during this decade.

Much construction during that decade was from federal grant money and community volunteer help. Volunteers built the track and baseball fields.  The Athletic Booster Club helped the school build the Tigers' Den. Construction trades classes built the high school tennis courts. County available funds provided for athletic field lighting. The new bus garage and auto mechanics building were constructed with federal grant money.  The band hall was expanded through the efforts of the Band Boosters.  The building was named for the first band director, Fritz Teltschik.

In 1971, school policy changed to allow girls to wear pants to school.  A passing grade of 60 was now allowed. Students were exempt from mid-term exams based on high averages and good attendance.

Curriculum additions Included Distributive Education and Office Duplication Practice. ODP was housed in an old barracks once used for Art and Choral Class. It was located next to the auditorium.

School functions (dances, proms, and banquets) were hold in the gym, cafeteria, or at the Wilson County Show Barn. Homecoming bonfires and spirit parades were hold. During a spirit parade, the whole student body drove through town cheering and honking horns the morning of the homecoming game. A pep rally was then held at the courthouse square.

A baseball team was organized in 1973-74.  District winners were the basketball team in 1979 and the football team in 1972. In 1975, the boys' track team placed first overall in regionals and third overall in state.  In 1978, an FHS football player was named to an all-state team for the first time.

While some clubs were dropped, organizations on campus included: Junior Historians, Distributive Education Clubs of America, and Speech and Drama Club, and BETA Club.   FHS once again had boy cheerleaders in 1971.  During the filming of the movie, Sugarland Express, in Floresville, the band, clubs and classes were able to earn money as movie extras. 

1980’s  

During this decade, extensive legislative changes for all Texas schools were seen.   House Bill 72 mandated facilities, curriculum, grading, and other requirements that had a great effect on FHS. "No-pass, no-play" and mandatory attendance affected the student's ability to participate in athletics, band, stock shows, and other activities.

A computer math lab was added to the high school in 1981.  It featured Radio Shack Model III computers.  Vocational office education, drafting and childcare classes were begun.  Within several years, computer equipment had been upgraded and made available in math, science, drafting, ag, homemaking, business and office education classes.

The class day at school extended from six to seven class periods. Passing was raised from 60 to 70, with 90-100 being an "A". FHS had its first student to be a National Merit Scholar in 1985.

A new library was constructed in 1983. This was the first air-conditioned facility on campus. It had two special education classrooms within the building. In 1989, a building with six new air-conditioned classrooms was added next to the tennis courts. The city changed the name of Trail Street to Tiger Lane, and a school flag was designed.

The Tiger football team won district championship in 1985.  In 1987, they won district, bi-district, and area, losing at regionals to Cuero.  FHS celebrated 75 years of football in 1989. Also In 1989, the Tiger baseball team and girls' golf team clinched district championships. The 1987 homecoming football game will best be remembered for not being played--as referees were not at the game.

Shorthand students won at regional and state UIL in 1987 and competed at state in 1985. The Office Education Association (now Business Professionals of America) had Parliamentary Procedures Teams win at state in 1966, 1988, and 1989.  An OEA student was able to compete at national contest in Kentucky in 1968 in Information Processing. The band went to state marching contest four years in a row

Journalism classes prepared the Tiger Tattler for several years, and then concentrated on the preparation of the annual. As a result, the newspaper became a free enterprise project of the word processing classes (under sponsorship of the Business Professionals of America).

Agriculture continued to grow. Students actively participated and won In the Wilson County, San Antonio, and Houston Stock Shows. Many improvements were made on campus by the construction trades and agriculture classes.

During the latter part of the decade, the Student Council sponsored drug and alcohol awareness campaigns on campus.  Now clubs and organizations on campus included the National Honor Society (formerly BETA Club), English Club, Technical Student Association and Spirit Razors. A dance team, the Tigerettes, was formed in 1985-86. One of the Tigerettes was selected to perform in the Hula Bowl In 1987.

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A century of education has seen our high school grow from a few students in a six-room wooden building to a large multi-building complex with over 700 students and 45 faculty members.  The future of Floresville High School will continue to revolve around growth of the community, funding, legislative action and requirements, and a progressive attitude among the students, parents, faculty, administration, and board. We are proud of our past and great traditions, and, hopefully, the best is yet to be!