Student returns to Stamford’s ‘All Black’ school as city commemorates history
STAMFORD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – First opening its doors in 1916, the Booker T. Washington School was Stamford’s all-black school until the system ended segregation in 1965. While time has taken its toll on the building, leaving little more than four walls and a chimney, the community and some former students have taken it upon themselves to salvage what they can and preserve the school’s history. The city dedicated a monument on the site on Thursday, February 8th.
Long-time Stamford resident Odell Griggs attended Booker T. from first through fourth grade, leaving for the integrated school in 1965. He returned to the grounds on Thursday to watch as the monument was placed, taking the time to reflect on his memories there.
“We’d be out in the front playing baseball, dodgeball. We had a little dirt court where some kids played basketball when the bigger kids let them play,” Griggs remarked with a laugh.
Abilene Christian University kicks off Black History Month with gospel choir performance
He said that while it’s been almost 60 years, he can still recall his first day of first grade at Booker T. Washington. A day he says it’d be difficult to forget.
“I was scared to death… After a few days, it was just like being at home,” Griggs recalled.
Throughout the school’s five decades in operation, thousands of Stamford students also called the halls home. Even so, its very existence as a segregated school is rooted in a prejudiced past. Griggs, recollecting on his first day of fifth grade after integration, said Stamford was a mostly kind place, but the notions of the day were painfully present.
From Barber to College Advisor: Gerald Wilkerson’s journey to help students succeed
“It was scary, It was rough… Some of the teachers were worse than the classmates, but we got through it,” Griggs said.
During the monument’s dedication, Stamford Mayor James Decker touched on the topic of facing a difficult past and the necessity of recognizing and embracing history as it happened.
“This is an uncomfortable piece of Stamford’s history. It’s a shame that for decades, our school was not united; it was segregated. But even so, there’s a lot of folks, including some in this group that I talked to, that have fond memories of attending this school. Or hearing those memories from their parents and grandparents. We owe it to our community to cherish, embrace, and share that history no matter how uncomfortable it might make us,” Decker told the crowd.
Abilene Parks & Rec hosts city-wide Black history-themed scavenger hunt
The monument was crafted by Stamford Funeral Home director Lowell ‘Chico’ Underwood at the request of the “Sister Sister’s,” a group of locals that formed with the purpose of commemorating the Booker T. Washington School and now works to better the city as a whole.
“We are in the process of trying to get the building to be a historical marker,” said Group Founder Theresa Lee.
Lee is also the daughter of Booker T. Washington Graduate Donnell Kennison and cousin of the school’s former principal, Professor Charles Giddings. She said the monument is the first step in what they hope to be a larger preservation of the property and the history it holds for so many.
“I want to give back to Stamford because I love my father,” Lee said.
The CCC legacy: How Black Veterans built Abilene State Park
This mission is the product of a vision for the school she said came to her in 2020. Her mission is now shared by the Sister Sister’s, many community members, and the property’s current owner, Solomon Temple Baptist Church, led by Reverend Massey.
“Reverend Massey stated to me, on this day, Theresa, I have been blessed. And I myself said to him at the end of the conversation, likewise I have been blessed,” said Lee.
Pastor Andrew Penns receives 2024 Distinguished Abilenian Award
With the city’s support, the Sisters are working to make the crumbling school grounds a monument of heritage to all those who attended the Booker T. Washington School. Griggs commented on the positive impact the school’s teachers had on students.
“This school changed a lot of lives. The people that graduated from here went to college and got good jobs… They got their knowledge and kept it going down the line,” said Griggs.
As Lee mentioned, her group is currently fundraising to clean up the school grounds and hopes to start plans to salvage what is left of the building.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
