Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Heights East

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Date: May 23, 2018

Applicant: James E. Fisher for Reagan Masonic Lodge, owner

Property: 1606 Heights Blvd, Lot 14 and 15, Block 117, Subdivision. The property includes a historic 9,300 square foot meeting hall situated on a 16,500 square foot (150' x 110') corner lot.

Significance: Contributing Neo-Classical-style Masonic Hall, constructed circa 1948, located in the Houston Heights Historic District East. The Heights Annex School Building No. 1 is a Bungalow-esque style and was constructed circa 1914.

Proposal: Relocation/New Construction – Relocate a noncontributing building outside of a district to a contributing property within a historic district The school building is being relocated from 1419 N Shepherd to the north of the Hall on Lot 15. • The building is one-story, approximately 960 square feet and measures, 24’ wide by 41’ deep by 16’ tall with a 10’ eave height. • The school will be placed approximately 45’ from the front wall, and 40’ from the front porch to the front property line, almost in-line with the covered entryway of the Hall.

See enclosed detailed project description and application materials for further details.

Public Comment: No public comment received.

Civic Association: No comment received.

Recommendation: Approval

HAHC Action: -

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

APPROVAL CRITERIA

RELOCATION OF A NONCONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE Sec. 33-244: HAHC shall issue a certificate of appropriateness for the relocation of a noncontributing structure within or into an historic district upon finding that the application satisfies the criteria in section 33-242 of this Code as if it were new construction.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT Sec. 33-242: HAHC shall issue a certificate of appropriateness for new construction in a historic district upon finding that the application satisfies the following criteria: S D NA S - satisfies D - does not satisfy NA - not applicable (1) The distance from the property line of the front and side walls, porches, and exterior features of any proposed new construction must be compatible with the distance from the property line of similar elements of existing contributing structures in the context area; The two-story buildings within the context area have front setbacks that range from 45’ to 52’. The proposed location sets the building front porch at approximately 40’, which is almost in-line with the Hall’s front entryway, and the front wall at 45’. (2) The exterior features of the new construction must be compatible with the exterior features of existing contributing structures in the context area; The building contains wood 1/1 windows, 117 wood lap siding, and rafter tails which are all compatible features in the heights. (3) The scale and proportions of the new construction, including the relationship of the width and roofline, overall height, eave height, foundation height, porch height, roof shape, and roof pitch, and other dimensions to each other, must be compatible with the typical scale and proportions of existing contributing structures in the context area unless special circumstances, such as an atypical use, location, or lot size, warrant an atypical scale and proportions; and objects in the historic district; The building measures approximately 24’ wide and is one-story tall and is proportional to itself and the context area.

(4) The height of the new construction must not be taller than the typical height of existing contributing structures in the context area unless special circumstances, such as an atypical use, location, or lot size, warrant an atypical height, except that; The building is one-story tall and measures approximately 16’ to the ridge. The buildings in the context area are mostly two-story, well above the proposed building’s height.

(a) Design guidelines for an individual historic district may provide that a new construction with two stories maybe be constructed in a context area with only one-story contributing structures as long as the first story of the new construction has proportions compatible with the contributing structures in the context area, and the second story has similar proportions to the first story; and

(b) A new construction shall not be constructed with more than one story in a historic district that is comprised entirely of one-story contributing structures, except as provided for in design guidelines for an individual historic district.

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

PROPERTY LOCATION HOUSTON HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT EAST N

1606 HEIGHTS

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

CURRENT PHOTO/RELOCATION SITE

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

CONTEXT AREA

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

SITE PLAN PROPOSED N

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

WEST ELEVATION – FRONT FACING HEIGHTS BLVD PROPOSED

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

NORTH SIDE ELEVATION PROPOSED

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

SOUTH SIDE ELEVATION PROPOSED

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

EAST (REAR) ELEVATION PROPOSED

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

SANBORN MAPS AND SETBACKS VOL 7, SHEET 730 AND 731

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

PHOTO CIRCA 1921

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

PROJECT DETAILS

Shape/Mass: The structure is 960 square feet and measures approximately 24’ wide by 40’ deep.

Setbacks: The front setback will be approximately 40’ to the front porch, 45’ to the front wall, 16’ from the north side and 14’ from the lodge.

Foundation: Pier and beam. Finished floor height to be determined after moving.

Windows/Doors: The building contains wood 1/1 windows. All proposed windows to be inset and recessed. See drawings and window/door schedule for more detail.

Exterior Materials: The building is clad in 117 wood lap siding.

Roof: The building has a hipped roof with open rafter tails and measures approximately 16’ to the ridge and 10’ to the eave.

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

ATTACHMENT A SCHOOL HISTORY

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Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission ITEM D.6 June 14, 2018 1606 Heights Boulevard HPO File No. 160623 Houston Heights East

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NARRATIVE HISTORY FOR THE HEIGHTS ANNEX SCHOOL No. 1/CLUBHOUSE c1914 (ver. 03/27/2018) For Submission to the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission Prepared by James E. Fisher

The Heights Annex School No. 1/clubhouse building currently located at 1419 North Shepherd was constructed by the Magnolia Loan and Building Co.1 prior to May, 1914.2 The structure is located on lots 672 and 673 of the Heights Annex Addition. These lots were established for “…the purpose of holding public schools therenon, and for other public purposes as may be found useful and beneficial and not detrimental to said use for public schools.”3 At that time, the school’s address was 1415 Lowell.4 Lowell Street is now North Shepherd Drive. This school building/clubhouse is located just outside the Houston Heights northwest boundaries, approximately one and one-half blocks south of Block 127 along the southern border of the extreme northwest section of Houston Heights, and four blocks west of Houston Heights Block 149.5

To understand the building’s history, one must look at the history and development of the Houston Heights and two additions along its western boundary, Heights Annex and Brunner. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development of the municipalities of Brunner and Houston Heights closely parallel this era of the City of Houston’s growth.6 Full page ads for Houston Heights and Brunner appear in the June, 1896, edition of Gulf Messenger magazine.7 In 1896, the citizens of both the Brunner and Houston Heights vote to incorporate their municipalities.8 The 1914 Brunner ISD became part of Houston ISD,9 with Houston Heights schools joining HISD in 191810.

Prior to the construction of the school building/clubhouse, its location was plated within the Brunner Independent School District which was established in 1901.11 In May, 1914, a newspaper article identifies Heights Annex School No. 1 as a polling place for a Brunner School Bond election.12 Annexation of the area to Houston occurs in 1918, bringing the school under the control of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). In 1926, HISD opened Love Elementary School, a modern brick facility at 13th and North Shepherd13 just one and one-half blocks from Heights Annex School No. 1. The HISD website entry for Love Elementary indicates, “Ben Kiam,14 a local businessman, donated the land for the first school in the Heights Annex … The campus was moved to its present location in 1923…”15 With this change Heights Annex School No. 1’s “campus” was used to establish Love Elementary, and the one-room schoolhouse’s primary use shifted to civic activities.16

During the years between 1914 to 1923, Heights Annex children, and children whose families lived in adjacent areas of Houston Heights, were educated at this school. Among those that attended Heights Annex School No. 1 is famed, internationally recognized, firefighter Paul Neal “Red” Adair, whose family lived a few blocks from the school.17 Students of the school went on to attend the first Houston located on Yale at 12th Street, and the second Heights High located on 20th Street.18

Brunner’s evolution allowed for the construction of a High School in 1911.19 In 1926, that school, under the Houston ISD, became Milam Elementary.20 Another connection between these two communities and their schools is the professional history of S. P. (Stephen Poole) Waltrip. S. P. Waltrip served in multiple capacities within the Brunner ISD, including Supervisor of Brunner Independent School District in 1914.21 He later became the Superintendent of Houston Heights Public Schools in 1916.22 The 1919 City Directory indicates

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that S. P. Waltrip is the Principal of Heights Annex School No. 1.23 S. P. Waltrip was also the Principal24 of the original Heights High School on 12th and Yale,25 and the second Heights High School, now Alexander Hamilton Middle School on 20th at Heights Boulevard.26 In 1926, he became the first Principal of Reagan High School, now Heights High School.27 In 1959, following his death in 1932, Houston Independent School District established S. P. in his name.28

The Heights Annex School No. 1 and civic building is the oldest existing school building of its type in the Greater Heights area.29 Within the central Houston area, only Cage Elementary, a two-story mission-style brick building built in 1910, predates this building.30 In the Heights, Harvard Street School’s (now Harvard Elementary) one-room school was moved to 8th and Waverly in 1898.31 That building has since been razed. Cooley Elementary, Houston Height’s first school opened in 1894.32 This two-story brick building was replaced following a fire in 1961.33 The Heights Annex School No. 1 building would closely approximate typical Heights’ educational facilities during this era of Houston’s suburban development, and it stands alone among the city’s original structures.34

Public Education has been connected to Freemasonry in since 1836, and Reagan Masonic Lodge No. 1037 specifically, since 1910. Mirabeau B. Lamar, a Freemason,35 was the second President of the Republic of Texas and was an advocate for public education, earning him the nickname “Father of Texas Education.”36 Reagan Masonic Lodge No. 1037 was organized December 31, 1910, in the Houston Heights, the City of Houston’s first suburban Masonic Lodge.37 James F. Helms became the first elected head of Reagan Masonic Lodge serving in 1911-1912.38 Mr. Helms was the last president of the Houston Heights School Board.39 James F. Helms Elementary School was named in his honor In 1918,40 and opened March 18, 1919.41 S. P. Waltrip served as the head of Reagan Lodge in 1923-1924.42 In 1950, S. P. Waltrip Masonic Lodge No. 1328 A.F.&A.M., under The Grand Lodge of Texas, was named in his honor.43

LIST OF THE HEIGHTS ANNEX TEACHERS/PRINCIPAL REFERENCES:

1913 – Mrs. Edna Kelley (PRIVATE Heights Annex School at 612 W. 16th Ave.) (Houston City Directory, p 399) NOTE: the relationship, if any, to the Heights Annex School building is unknown

1915 – Miss O. D. Hand, teacher (1915 City Directory, page 87)

1915 – Miss Bessie Maas, teacher (Houston Post, Sept. 16, 1915)

1917 - Miss M. E. Alden, Principal (1917 City Directory, page 219)

1917 – Heights Annex School No. 2, 1412 Victor, Miss Naomi Shaw, principal (1917 City Directory, page 513)

1918 – Miss B. B. White, teacher (1918 City Directory, page 50)

1918 – Jos O. Pinchard, principal (1918 City Directory, page 535)

1919 – Miss B. B. White, teacher (1919 City Directory, page 50)

1919 – S. P. Waltrip, Principal (1919 City Directory, page 589)

1922 – Mrs. Evaline Landis (widow Wm J), Principal (1922 City Directory, page 740)

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1 Houston City Directory 1920-21; Magnolia Loan & Building, Ben Kiam President, Owners Brenner Addition, Addition, Houston Heights Annex; page 937 2 Affidavit of Posting of Notices; May 18, 1914; “Said notices having been posted at the school house in Heights Annex…”; Harris County Archives 3 Court filing No. 73439 between Magnolia Loan & Building Co. and Trustees (Mrs. W. E. Ross, Mrs. H. W. Mansback, Mrs. W. F. Griffith, and N. T. Starr), May 22, 1920; records provided by Dr. Kenneth Williams 4 Houston City Directory 1917, page 513; NOTE: Also shows Heights Annex School No. 2 at 1412 Victor (now Laird St.) 5 Map of Houston Heights Harris County Texas, Owned by The Omaha & South Texas Land Co.., c1890 6 City Directory 1920-21; Magnolia Loan & Building Co. (Inc.); Ben Kiam President Owner Brunner Addition, West End, Addition, Houston Heights Annex Addition; page 937 7 Gulf Messenger, San Antonio, June, 1893 ads for Brunner & Houston Heights (author note: ref. Houston’s Forgotten Heritage, Dorothy Knox Houghton; Gulf Messenger is the official periodical for the women’s club movement in South Texas 1891-1898, page 314) 8 Houston: A History and Guide, American Guide Series, 1942, The Anson Jones Press, The Gay Decade 1890-1896, page 99; Houston Heights property owners voted 87 to 10 in favor of incorporation. Brunner also voted to incorporate. 9 Bruner IDS Bond records, to the Commissioners’ Court of Harris County, April 6, 1914, relating to transfer of Brunner ISD school and school property, City of Houston “paying off” Brunner ISD bonds 10 Historic Preservation Manual: City of Houston Planning & Development Department; Houston Heights West, East, and South; http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/HistoricPreservationManual/historic_districts/heights.html; accessed March 19, 2018 11 Election Return, To the Hon. E. H. Vasmer, County Judge; “should form an incorporation for Free School purposes only”; March 5, 1901; vote 115 For and 10 Against 12 Affidavit of Posting of Notices, The State of Texas County of Harris; Brunner Independent School District; “…notice has been posted at the school house in Heights Annex…” May 18th, 1914 13 Love Elementary School; HISD School Histories, Elementary Schools; http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32481; accessed March 3, 2018 14 Houston Post, “Ben Kiam Dies Suddenly in Room at Houston Hotel”; Tuesday, November 20, 1923, page 1; (Benjamin J. Kiam, Born Liberty, Texas March 15, 1859, Died Houston, Texas November 19, 1923) 15 Love Elementary School; HISD School Histories, Elementary Schools; http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32481; accessed March 3, 2018 16 Examples of civic use: Houston Post, “County Library Can Barely Make Books Go Around: Sept. 26, 1921; 1930-31 City Directory, listing as Heights Annex Community House, page 2149; 1942 City Directory, listing as North Shepherd Civic Club, page 1461; Kenneth Williams & Rosebud Garden Group c1989 17 Houston City Directory 1920-21; Charles E. Adair, 1512 Packard, Foreman Texas Wagon Works (Red Adair’s father); 1921 school photo, oral history J. C. Britt descendant; Adair confirmation, conversation between Kenneth Williams (current building owner) and Red Adair 18 Annual Report of the Public Schools of the Independent School District of the City of Houston; 1917-18; Appendix to Report of President of School Board, Classification of best students from Houston High Schools, with schools from which they came; p399 19 New High School for Brunner; Houston Post, Vo. 27, Ed 1, Sunday, December 24, 1911, The Portal to Texas History, 20 HISD Elementary Schools (K-Z); Milam Elementary; http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32481; accessed March 3, 2018 21 The Houston Post, Vol 29, No. 83, Ed 1; June 26, 1914; “Acting for Superintendent Horn”; The Portal to Texas History; accessed March 4, 2018 22 The Houston Post, New Schools Will Be Ready For Use, Appropriations Made for Kindergarten; September 12, 1916; page 7 23 Houston City Directory 1919; Morrison & Fourmy Directory Co., Heights Annex School No. 1; page 589 24 Stephen Poole Waltrip, June 18, 1918; Principal Heights High School; Records of Reagan Masonic Lodge 25 Heights High School (12th and Yale erected in 1904); The History of HOUSTON HEIGHTS 1891-1918, Sister M. Agatha, page 58

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26 Mr. S. P. Waltrip, The Man; Waltrip High School Alumni Association; by Cindy Green Reibenstein (Class of ’72); http://waltripalumni.org/page-823989; accessed February 28,2018 27 Heights High School; Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heights_High_School; accessed March 6, 2018 28 Waltrip High School, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltrip_High_School; accessed March 19, 2018 29 Houston Heights; Education History; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Heights#History; accessed March 3, 2018 30 City of Houston Protected Landmark Designation Report, Rufus 31 Houston Public School Buildings Their History and Location, Lynne W. Denison and L. L. Pugh, 1936 32 The History of Houston Heights 1891-1918; Cooley School, Sister M. Agatha, Premier Printing Co., 1956, page 54 33 School remembered for role in the Heights; Chron.com; https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights/news/article/School-remembered-for-role-in-Heights- 5886159.php; accessed March 3, 2018 34 Remaining Texas one-room schools; http://oneroomschoolhousecenter.weebly.com/americas-one-rooms.html; Wooster Common School No. 38; http://www.baytownhistory.org/; West Bay Common School No. 13, League City, http://www.oneroomschoolhouse.org/; McGhee Elementary School Building c1916, Channelview 35 Texas Freemason History: An Account of the History of Texas and Freemasonry in Texas;; Freemasonry; https://dallasfreemasonry.org/about-freemasonry/texas-freemason-history/; accessed March 3, 2018 36 Handbook of Texas Online, Herbert Gambrell, "Lamar, Mirabeau Buonaparte," accessed March 03, 2018, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fla15. 37 Application Narrative for an Official Texas Historical Marker for REAGAN MASONIC LODGE No. 1037, A. F. & A. M.; James E. Fisher; November 13, 2009; THC Historical Marker 2010; 38 Records of Reagan Masonic Lodge No. 1037; http://www.reaganlodge1037.org/past_masters.htm; accessed March 19, 2018 39 Houston Public School Buildings Their History and Location, Compiled by Lynne W. Denison and L. L. Pugh, 1936; “James F. Helms”; page 42 40 Houston Public School Buildings Their History and Location, Compiled by Lynne W. Denison and L. L. Pugh, 1936, “James F. Helms School”, page 40 41 The Houston Post, Vol. 34, No 348, Ed 1; $40,000 Helms School at Heights Is Opened with Flag-Raising Ceremony; The Portal to Texas History, accessed March 4, 2018 42 Records of Reagan Masonic Lodge No. 1037; http://www.reaganlodge1037.org/past_masters.htm; accessed March 19, 2018 43 S. P. Waltrip Masonic Lodge No. 1328, Chartered in December 5, 1950; Grand Lodge of Texas; Lodge Locator; accessed March 19, 2018

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MAY'S Souvenir Guide and Official City Map of Houston Texas 1925, FOLDOUT MAP 1924 (* Heights Annex School No. 1; * Fisher home; * Adair home)

Houston Independent School District – Information (accessed 02‐13‐2018)

http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32481

ALAMO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL—CLOSED 1980 201 East 27th

Formerly known as Sunset Heights Elementary School, this school was named for the structure in San Antonio that played a pivotal role in Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico. It opened in 1913 and closed in 1980. (note: last building razed c2016, now condos)

CAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

4538 Leeland

In 1894, philanthropist and school board president Rufus Cage donated the land on Telephone Road where the Kirby School was erected in 1902. A newer structure was built across the street in 1906 and renamed in honor of Cage when he died in 1923. The school moved to its present site on Leeland Street in 1983. (note: two story brick building)

COOLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL—CLOSED 1980 300 West 17th

Daniel Denton Cooley, sometimes called “the father of the Heights,” was a land developer who came to Houston in 1890. His home at 1802 Heights Boulevard was one of the very first residences built in that neighborhood. Cooley, a lifelong champion of education, also helped establish some of the first schools in the Heights area. Now called the Cooley Center, this building currently houses the district's Alternative Certification Program headquarters.

HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 810 Harvard

Originally the Harvard Street School, this facility opened in 1898 and became part of HISD in 1921. The main brick structure, which dated from 1912, was demolished in 1980, when a new addition was built. It was named for the street on which it is located in the Houston Heights.

HELMS COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER 503 West 21st

Formerly known as Helms Elementary School, this facility was named for James F. Helms, who served as president of the Houston Heights Board of Education and later as chief clerk of the Harris County Court. The campus named for him was built in 1918, the year the Houston Heights became part of the city of Houston. It was renamed the Helms Community Learning Center in April 2001.

LOVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1120 West 13th

In 1914, Ben Kiam, a local businessman, donated the land for the first school in the Heights Annex on North Shepherd. The campus moved to its present location in 1923, and a new building was erected three years later. At that time the school was named for William Graston Love, a prominent lawyer and former mayor of the Houston Heights.

MILAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL—CLOSED MAY 2004 1100 Roy

Brunner High School, built in 1912, subsequently became part of HISD and in 1926 was renamed in honor of Benjamin Rush Milam (1788–1835). After distinguished service in the War of 1812, Milam fought for the independence of Texas. He lost his life at the battle in which the Texas army captured San Antonio.

Waltrip Alumni Association, Inc. - Mr. S.P. Waltrip http://waltripalumni.org/page-823989

Mr. S.P. Waltrip, The Man written by Cindy Greene Reibenstein '72

Who is this man that our school is named for? We may have not even considered this fact while attending the school but his exceptional character and devotion to service, leadership and learning propelled him to great respect within the community and within the field of education during his short time here on earth. Stephen Poole Waltrip was born on December 17, 1878 in Missouri and came to Texas as a child. He began teaching at the age of 16 and continued his studies at The University of Texas and in 1910, at the age of 32, became area superintendent of the three school districts outside Houston: Harrisburg, Heights, and West End. This is the Heights area we know today. He led an extensive bond movement to build a new Heights High. When these areas became annexed into Houston in 1918, he was became Principal of Houston Heights High School and then he opened the new high school, John H. Reagan in 1926. He led Reagan building service and leadership with education until his untimely death on February 21,1932 at the age of 54. He and his wife, Hattye, had twin sons: Robert E. Waltrip and Maurice C. Waltrip. Maurice became a dentist and musician who loved the magical tricks to entertain his patients as his father had used thus enlightening character to inspire him and others. Hattye and Robert E. continued the funeral business that the family began in 1925, Heights Funeral Home. Robert E. Waltrip also died young in life, leaving his wife and young son, Robert L. Waltrip, to build the largest funeral home corporation, SCI, in the world. From the Heights Funeral Home, the first branch out was the Waltrip Funeral Home, opening in 1962. The inspiration of Mr. Waltrip leaves a service of legacy with the family and with the student body.

But more about the man. Stephen Poole Waltrip was a Master Mason, head of the Reagan Lodge in '23 and '24; he was active in the Methodist church and he loved the study of nature. He loved the outdoors, walking in the woods. You could find him walking on a daily basis as he loved to study nature. He also loved carpentry, specifically making cabinets. He made the cabinets in his principal’s office. His enjoyment with nature and cabinet making highlights one of his sayings, "learn to be of good company to yourself’ and he would stress this with his family and students by encouraging them to go walking alone, sit quiet in nature and learn to enjoy you! He considered himself an average man, realizing we all have shortcomings but he felt it a duty to himself and the Maker to make the best of what you have. He stressed along with other words of wisdom but more importantly with his actions the quality and importance of character with his students, his co- workers, friends and more importantly with his family.

Mr. Waltrip was proud of his Welsh heritage and visiting with family was important.

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He stood for truth, honor, service and leadership. Mr. Waltrip was known for being a strong, steady man with sayings to learn by: “Make best of what you have.” “Learn to make decisions and abide by those decisions. . . this gets you to the right one.” “Get your trouble out in the open and come to grips with it.” He led the community in many growth arenas and was a friend to many in all walks of life and from all ethnic backgrounds. He was a man of great integrity. He was fair and did not show favortism. He even expelled his own son, Robert, from school for a spit wad incident. It should come as no surprise that service and leadership were strong components, foundational blocks, for S.P. Waltrip Senior High.

In 1917, Mr. Waltrip was the Superintendent of the three school areas that were not annexed into Houston at that time. To get a feel of his spirit, here is a poem he wrote to the Class of 1917: “This year’s book is closed and sealed at last. Nor can we alter what is past. Our griefs, our pleasures, thoughts and acts, are all on record as plain facts. But here before us pure and white are pages now on which to write, are free but to choose twixt joy and sorrow and start our future from tomorrow.” In 1919, as the area schools become annexed into the Houston School District, he becomes Principal of Houston Heights High School, what is now known as Hamilton Middle School. But before the area was annexed, it is written that Mr. Waltrip spent ‘tireless efforts on the bond issue.’ For building the new school, he went to New York and had the bond approved by a bond attorney and then he went to Chicago when it was sold. He did not surrender to the discouraging factors. The bond built new rooms for the Houston Heights High school, now Hamilton, improvements for Harvard and Cooley and Helms elementary; when Central High burned down, Heights welcomed those students in. “Mr. Waltrip never deserted the ship but stayed faithfully with the job with a perseverance that will bring and has brought forth some wonderful results.” You can get to know a person from the student body and a senior stated, “being suspended by Mr. Waltrip was better than he being mad at me.” He was also known for taking a joke, as this one was in revealed in the yearbook: Mr. Waltrip: Earl, why are you late for school this morning? Earl: the bell rang before I got here.

During the years of Mr. Waltrip being Principal at Heights, he opens the new Heights High School, now Hamilton, and is known by the senior class as ‘the Inspector General’ and in 1925 the last year he was at Heights they dedicated the yearbook to him. Heights now officially became Hamilton as Reagan High School opened in 1926 and he opened that school. To symbolize the transfer from Heights High School, green and white, the students and faculty marched from Heights to Reagan; this symbol of moving on but keeping their spirit, now maroon and white, fundamental, as he advocates for the students graduating rituals for the next few years embody the Heights traditions within their new district.

Mr. S.P. Waltrip died in 1932, age 53, the Heights community mourned his passing; the student body dedicated the yearbook to him. They write: “The senior class of 1932 take from their hearts this dedication, to the great and noble character who, while living controlled the destinies of many, and, after departing in body, hovered near us, guided and directed us in spirit. The dynamic personality of whom we speak is our former beloved principal, Mr. S. P. Waltrip. This man, a spotless character and Christian gentleman, set for all of us an example that is worthy of emulation. The very thought of his spiritual presence hovers over us like the pillar of fire of Moses, and leads us in the direction of higher ideals. In memory of his high example we place ourselves as pawns upon the board of life to be moved about

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as the divine inspiration that he has left, directs us.”

Where did they get such a feeling? Below you will find the writings of Mr. S. P. Waltrip. As you read them, the character that filled the students of then, embody us now and they are the blocks that Waltrip High School is founded on.

Some Observations of the Senior Class of 1919 by S.P. Waltrip (while at Heights High) “At the beginning of the school year, September 1918, there were 52 members of the senior class. Two of the members married during the year and two members of the class moved away from Houston. One of the young ladies who married remained in school, however, in order that she might graduate with her class. This is a commendable as it is unusual. From this it is seen that the class has lost only three of its members during the entire year. Their loss, however, is offset by the fact that two new members have entered the class during the year and will make a total of 51 to graduate. This is, no doubt, a usual record. It can be truthfully said that not one member of the class has really been lost.

The consolidation of the Heights School System with that of Houston brought about a number of changes, affecting credits required for graduation. This change militated against the interest of a great number of the class. There is not, however, a single instance in which the handicap was not met and successfully overcome.

A large majority of the class have spent their entire school experience together. This is especially true of the High School experience. This condition, together with the further fact that all preceding classes of the Heights High School have held their own commencement exercises in the Heights, caused the present class to desire that their separate and distinct identity be preserved. For this reason, they asked the superintendent and school board to allow them to hold their graduating exercises in the same manner as they have always been held in the Heights, except that it be under the authority and direction of the superintendent and school board of the city of Houston. This request was promptly granted. Therefore it may be naturally assumed that in this act, the present class has established a precedent that will be followed by the succeeding classes of the Heights High.

A graduating class of 51 from a four-year High School, whose total enrollment is approximately 400, gives an exceedingly high percentage. This is a credit to the entire school, but especially so to the Senior Class of 1919.

One of the chief tests of the efficiency of any High School is the number of graduates which it sends to college or university. An exceedingly high percent of the present class expects to attend college or university, beginning next year. This not only speaks well for the members of the class but it also maintains the reputation of the Heights High and furnishes additional evidence of the high ideals as well as scholastic attainments of the school.

The great test of any school is the ideals which it inculcates in the minds of the student body, as is reflected by the life they live afterwards. This class is sent forth as the finished product of this year’s service to the community, to the state and to the nation. They are sent out to grapple with the daily difficulties of life’s great battle after the school has done its best to furnish them with the best shield and surest weaponundefinedhigh idealsundefinedcultivated minds and healthy, vigorous

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bodies. We send them forth with absolute confidence that they will bear the responsibilities with honor to themselves and with credit to the school.

To the Graduating Class, 1921 by S.P. Waltrip, principal

“You, the members of the graduating class of Heights Senior High School, have reached one of the important milestones in life. You have completed your experience as active participants in the most democratic institution in the world, the public high school. Your experience here should be to you an influence to do that which is right; inspiring you to nobler mode of living, to a glorified view of duty and of opportunity and to a wider scope of manifestation of that which is highest in MAN.

Your commencement is a commencement indeed. It not only marks the ending of your high school career, but it also fixes the beginning of another era in which you will reap the benefits of your work and association here. The value of your high school education is absolutely individual. That value will be known and determined only by the degree to which it influences and improves your future activities. In high school you have learned many technical facts and principles which should serve as a foundation for future development. But greater than this is the ability to recognize duties and responsibilities and the development of sufficient fortitude, courage and intelligence to fulfill them in the greatest measure. To reason accurately and persistently is well, but this is only a means to an end. The ability to do without the inclination to do is not necessarily worthwhile. Mental development, unless fortified by physical, moral and spiritual development, may come to naught. Ordinarily the high school is thought of as a place where mental training is the sole aim. Such is far from the real fact. Here the social, moral and spiritual development is equal or perhaps in greater measure and more important than that of the purely intellectual. Acquisition of the power to judge fairly, to decide justly, to think accurately and to express clearly is more difficult and vastly more important than abstract knowledge. In the scale of true education character should come first, knowledge last. We send you forth in pride and confidence. Confident that you have here learned the dignity of labor, respect for authority and for the rights of others, true patriotism, loyalty to the right and justice, consecration to duty and reverence to God. Proud in the fact that we have been somewhat instrumental in helping you to attain these things.”

To the Graduates of 1922 by S.P. Waltrip, principal

“Now that the close of your high school career has come, I am wondering what you have gained from your experiences here. How many of you have a clear conception as to the ultimate purpose of the high school? Your diploma is evidence only that you have completed a specified amount of high school work. It is not necessarily a measure of the amount of information acquired. Neither is it an estimate of knowledge gained. It is a misconception to think of the high school time as a period in which the mind is to be stored with facts and figures. If you have gained while here the ability to find your way to truth through the wilderness of uncertainty and misinformation, then you have profited greatly. A large percentage of the bare facts and figures which you have learned here will soon pass out of your mind. But the mental ability developed by this means should remain and be to you a constant growing strength.

The development of the mental faculty is valuable in a large degree to the extent that it reacts upon the spiritual and moral side. Unless there has been established,

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cultivated, and strengthened within you a strong moral fiber, then you have lost one of the greatest benefits of high school experiences. On the one hand the young men and young women of today have greater temptations and larger responsibilities than those any other generation has ever known. The whole world, in its every phase, is undergoing some sort of change. The old established land-marks and barriers have become to some extent obsolete. It is largely your responsibility to find the way through the difficulties.

Do not idly loiter along the hallway of life, waiting for some door of opportunity automatically to open to you. Do not be a creature of mere circumstance. Select your door, open it, and walk in with a firm determination and an abiding confidence. An ordinary amount of ability, together with an abundance of industry, will insure your success. Should you have both of these qualities in large measures; your accomplishments will be only the greater.”

To the Graduating Class of 1923 by S.P. Waltrip, principal of Heights Senior High

Figuratively speaking, civilization may be compared to a tripod, or three-legged stool. If either of these legs be destroyed, the structure falls and becomes a useless thing. The three supports upon which civilization depends are the home, the church and the school. Upon these the economic, social, moral and spiritual life of the world depends. A failure or repudiation of any of the three basic principles would result in a total annihilation of a great part of all good accomplished since time began. None of the three is a fixed or completed organization. Each has developed only by the greatest effort. The perpetuation of each depends largely upon the other two. None can continue through the exercise of the old rule of ‘self preservation.’

In this age of the ‘lounge lizard,’ the ‘jelly bean,’ the ‘flapper,’ and the ‘marathon dancers’ the old time home life is almost gone. Parental authority is obsolete; yet, at the same time, parental responsibility has multiplied.

The church is tottering from within by bickering of multitudinous cults and schisms. It is being rocked to its very foundation by the assaults of shrewd, powerful and merciless enemies.

The public free school is a purely American institution. It was here in this land of ours that it first came to existence. The public free school, the cradle of Democracy, the University of the Common People, the most democratic institution on earth, stands, perhaps, as the chief bulwark of civilization. Only by supreme concentration and by divine guidance and blessing has it been able to withstand the perpetual assaults of its enemies.

However, civilization most assuredly is not approaching dissolution. The home, the church, and the school are passing a period of adjustment. This is only a transition of time through which we are passing; no one knows how long the time will be. Yet, without doubt, each will be better and stronger after the adjustment is complete. To live in this time, and to be one who helps in re-establishing these foundations is a privilege greater than any other generation has ever known.

To the Graduation Class of 1924 by S.P. Waltrip, principal

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As the time for graduation approaches each year, I begin planning what to say to the graduation class that may be both pleasing and helpful. Certainly this is no time when anything should be said that might cause any one of you the least unhappiness. But if nothing except empty, pleasing platitudes be said, then the waste of this space in your annual would be wholly unjustified. Nevertheless, it is not amiss to say that graduation is a time of mingled pleasure and regret. We rejoice with you in your happiness of a just reward. We are sorry that our work together has come to an end. We join you in the confident hope that the future will be full of pleasure for you. Our faith in you inspires full trust that you will fully meet the duties and responsibilities which fall to your lot in life.

Will you consider seriously just a few thoughts and suggestions which may help you in the future now unfolding to you?

What use are you to make of your new-found liberties? The right use of new-found freedom is one of the most searching and trying tests of character. The results of your high school experiences are not measured alone by units and diplomas but by strength of character. Neither you nor your high school can escape the inevitable law of consequences. Your manner of meeting your responsibilities in life will reflect on your high school as well as upon your home life. Neither can escape. Rest assured that this new-found liberty will not fail to leave its mark and influence upon you. “It will searchingly test, unerringly reveal, and profoundly modify your character and destiny.” Do not forget that self indulgence destroys strength of character. The habit of excuse-making undermines the will and weakens the ability to do.

Develop early the ability to utilize spare time. Regard time as one of your most valuable possessions. Seek to invest it so that it will bring you large dividends. The extent to which one makes good use of leisure time has much more influence upon character than does one’s daily vocation. In a large measure character is either built or wrecked during the leisure hours.

It is well to learn how to play; but ever bear in mind that play and recreation cannot be substituted for the fulfillment of one’s obligations. There is no substitute for honest labor. Cheerfully and confidently welcome the opportunity to do that which you know to be your duty and take pleasure in its fulfillment. Above all, do not permit yourself to ‘kill time,’ for by so doing you will murder your best friend. Againundefinedthe real test of your high school experiences is not one of units, instead it is one of the ideals and strengths of character as reflected in your life.”

Throughout his principal’s life, Mr. Waltrip had this poem under the glass of his desk. These words help to sum up his belief in self:

Somebody said that it couldn't be done, But he with a chuckle replied That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried, he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it.

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But he took off his coat, and he took off his hat, And the first thing we knew, he'd begun it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it. There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands to point out to you one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you. So just buckle in with a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quit it, Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing That "cannot be done," and you'll do it." By: Edgar Albert Guest - 1919

Mr. Waltrip’s feelings, thoughts, values, are incorporated into the founding pillars of Waltrip High School. As you read the history of Waltrip to grasp how those values are incorporated, woven into the fabric of a school that has produced 19,611 graduates as of today working all over the world, in all professions, vocations and businesses, caring for families and communities. We serve the community, our neighbors, church, organizations; our citizenship was well founded. We lead families, companies, societies, organizations, cities and state; our leadership is well intact. We courageously served our nation in many times of need, we serve our communities as police and firemen, and we serve our veterans; our courage and honor are proudly displayed. And as our faith is individual we collectively bond together in memory and building memories raising our loyalty to the school that gave us a foundation for our lives. And that foundation built steadfastly upon the shoulders of a great educator, Mr. Stephen Pool Waltrip. Let us not forget his words, “spread your knowledge so others may learn.” In that spirit, each of us are a branch of the tree of life teaching the next generation to serve, lead and build their character so they too may perpetuate a great community for all to enjoy.

Mr. Gordon Cotton grasped the ideals of Mr. Waltrip and through his words you can see how the two men are so alike…Thank you, Mr. Waltrip for your character…. The principals throughout the years have crafted the ideals of truth, honor and integrity… and today as the school is undergoing a significant renovation, there is no better time to build upon the foundation that set it’s mark 50 years ago from a man who created, cultivated and inspired each to become their best, Mr. S. P. Waltrip.

"As we entered Waltrip High School, we found …ourselves on the threshold of developing a school and a community… The school has become the nerve center of an active community. Today, once again, we find ourselves on a threshold. We must make sure that Waltrip continues to develop in importance. We must maintain and build upon the fine reputation which Waltrip enjoys. The challenge which we have met and must continue to meet is that of developing, “Our Waltrip High.” (Student Body 1961)

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PROPERTY DESCRIPTION (rev 05-06-2018)

Current building condition: The Heights Annex School No. 1 is a one-room schoolhouse/community building whose exterior is principally original in style and construction. No building plans, drawings or images are currently known to exist, save one c1921 photograph attributed to the building. This photo shows the school’s students and staff standing in front of the building. Part of the front of the building is seen in the background. This photo, provided by a descendant of one of the children in the photo, would indicate that the front porch was added after 1921.

The building is situated between 14th and 15th Streets, faces east, and is on the west side of North Shepherd (originally Lowell St.). The building is 24' 4” wide by 40' 5” long. There is a 10' 7” wide x 8' long extension to the rectangular shape of the building on the southwest, rear corner, of the main structure. The siding on the extension would suggest that it is original to the structure.

The building has 13 single windows with screens (2 front, 1 rear, 5 on each side). The exterior of the building is shiplap style siding and typical of buildings in the Heights area during this construction period. The roof is covered with contemporary composite singles. The lower portions of the shiplap are in poor condition. Other sections of the siding are in better condition. The rear extension is in overall poor condition. The building is supported by a spaced, block foundation, with limited elevation about the ground. Due to foundation issues the building shows sagging in the middle, front-to-back.

The interior of the building has only two interior walls. It also has a façade in the back of the room. The facade forms a “stage” that extends across the room, with a raised stage platform in the northwest corner. The drywall and ceiling are contemporary coverings of sheetrock. The sheetrock is water stained in some areas, and significantly damaged in others. The water damage was caused by a, now repaired, leaking roof. That roof was replaced by the current owner. Damage to the sheetrock cover on the ceiling reveals its original, wide ceiling boards.

The two interior walls form a small (7' x 2” wide by 9 ') kitchenette in the southeast corner of the room. This area has an entrance door and a small “serving door' through the wall next to the kitchenette door.

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property description v2.doc

There is an entrance, with door, to the “extension” section of the building. The extension is in the southwest, back corner, of the room. The extension was converted to serve as a restroom at some point. It currently contains a contemporary commode. It is unlikely that the extension was used for this purpose in the building's early years. The separate room may have served as a storage area, or as a small office for the school's staff during this period. It has an unpainted, wooden floor.

The buildings main floor is wooden, shows signs of wear, and may be original. It is painted a commercial gray color. The building has little in the form of contemporary wiring or plumbing. There is an exterior wall 'cut-in' space at the front of the building with fuse style electrical artifacts. This ‘cut-in’ is not seen in the c1921 photo.

Relocation site condition: Block 117, Lot 15, at 1606 Heights Blvd. is vacant. The area of the lot where the schoolhouse would be located is currently surrounded on three sides by chain-link fence. The north fence extends from the northwest corner of the lodge building. The south side of the lot being the north, exterior wall of Reagan Masonic Lodge. Lots 14 and 15 are owned by Reagan Masonic Lodge No. 1037.

Lot 15 is unencumbered by any current building(s) or other type of constructed element. It does contain two air conditioning units, and one tree. The tree is approximately 24 feet west of the rear property line and 18 feet north of the lodge building’s north wall.

Submitted by: James E. Fisher

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