E008 Buck School Opened in 1912 Was the First School Building in Mercedes 1912
In 1912 construction of the first public school building in Mercedes was completed. It was located on the Northeast corner of Texas Avenue and 5th Street. The school served all grades from elementary to high school, The first graduating class of 1914 had only one student. In 1915, there were four graduates
The school was built in a style that combined Spanish colonial arches and stucco with New England features including dormers and crescent-shaped windows. There was no air conditioning but the classrooms had windows and doors featuring transom windows to provide fresh air.
Initially referred to as the school house, the school was later named the Buck School in honor of Harriet Claycomb Buck, the mother of Nannie Buck, who was school superintendent from 1915 to 1923. [27]
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A008 Buck School Students Walked to Mercedes City Park for Recess 1912
At recess, teachers and students often walked the 4 blocks from the Buck School to Mercedes City Park to enjoy their break. In this postcard, many of the students are dressed formally, with boys wearing ties. Perhaps the photo was taken on a special occasion, such as the last day of school. To shield themselves from the intense South Texas sun, most of the adults and children wore hats. The inscription on the reverse side of the card reads, 'I am standing on the left. Miss Bowman is seated, and the two male teachers are with the children.'
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R010 Buck School Demolished After Hurricane Damage in 1933 1912
In the early days, some area ranches provided on-site schools for the children who lived there. In 1907, when Mercedes was founded, the school district provided classes in churches and other buildings. [97] In 1912 the Buck School Building was completed. It accommodated all grades until the high school moved into the new South School building in 1921. [27] Even after the Buck School opened, some ranch owners continued to provide schools for since the distance was too far to travel before automobiles were widely available.
In 1933, the Buck School was demolished due to major damage by a hurricane. All classes moved to the North and South Schools which had been constructed by then.
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A110 Buck School Heated by Fireplaces and Cooled by Open Windows 1912
The presence of several chimneys and the absence of electrical lines suggest that fireplaces provided heating for the school. Porches, verandas, and windows provided cooling during the warmer weather. The purpose of the pole atop the dormer window is uncertain. It may have once been part of a weather vane, or it could simply be decorative.
It is not known how many classrooms the school had, or whether there was a lunchroom. The school did have an auditorium used for school events. In addition, the local newspaper frequently announced civic organizations gathering at the school house auditorium, which must have been this auditorium, as no there were no others in Mercedes at the time.
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R009 Sidewalks and Grass Lawn Added to the Buck School 1920
Many site improvements had been added to the Buck School when this picture was taken, probably sometime in the 1920s. There is a grass lawn, sidewalks, and the Texas Avenue in front of the school has been paved. In addition, the large post on the left side may have for electricity to provide lighting in the school.
Today little information is known today about the charming Buck School which played a crucial role in early Mercedes.
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L001 Magnificent Mission Revival Style Graham School Built in 1921 1940
This building was built in 1921 and was originally called South School. It was renamed after Leo R. Graham, the superintendent of Mercedes schools from 1941 to 1951, in the 1950s. The school is an outstanding example of Mission Revival architecture, with its distinctive bell tower and parapets on each front wall. It was constructed with stucco, plaster, and brick by skilled masons. As of 2023, the building remains standing, but it is in a state of disrepair and requires restoration.[27]
A second school called the North School served the children living on the North side of town. The North School was later renamed John F. Kennedy Elementary School. [27]
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L004 Mercedes Graham School and Gym Building Feature Noteworthy Architecture 1940
This group of Mercedes school buildings includes the Graham School on the right and the Gymnasium Cafeteria complex on the left. The Graham School served as the high school when first built in 1921. It was converted to a grade school when the new high school was built a decade later across the street. The Spanish Revival style Gymnasium Cafeteria complex, built in 1931, was the second school in the Rio Grande 'Valley to have an indoor basketball court. The local paper boasted that 'dressing rooms for boys and girls are equipped with showers, lockers, and baskets for gymnasium suites.' These architectural gems stand today in 2023, nearly a century after their construction. [27][54]
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F003 Mercedes Junior High School Built in 1926 Had Largest Auditorium in the RGV 1950
This structure, which still stands on Ohio Street, served as Mercedes Junior High School for over 70 years. When construction was delayed, the local newspaper reported 'Lack of workmen has held up the contractors to a considerable extent during cotton picking season, but men are gradually returning to work and better progress may be expected...'When construction was completed in 1926, its auditorium was the largest in the Rio Grande Valley, with a seating capacity of 1,200 and a balcony.[70][72] The school auditorium has been the site of many plays, school assemblies, and public events over the years. The building is still standing today and is used for various purposes by the school district.
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L023 Mercedes High School Building Designed by Prominent Valley Architect in 1931 1940
This classic school building, completed in 1931, was the last of several structures in the Mercedes area designed by architect R. Newell Waters. Like the Telephone Building, City Hall, and Hidalgo County Bank, which he also designed, it is constructed of red brick with stone inlays. It also features white columns, engraved arch doors, and ornamental cornices. [4] The nearly 100-year-old structure was originally a high school, then part of the junior high, and later served as a college preparatory high school. It served as Mercedes High School from 1931 until 1967, when it was replaced by a new high school. Today, the building still stands and serves various administrative purposes for the Mercedes School District.
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F004 Mercedes School Building Boasts Floors of Terranzo Tile and Maple Wood 1950
The construction of the Mercedes High School gymnasium and cafeteria at 800 S. Ohio Street commenced in 1930 and was completed in 1931. The Spanish Revival-style building was designed by architect R Newell Waters of Weslaco. [4] The gym and cafeteria were used until 1967 when they were replaced by new facilities.
The building still stands today, with many of its fine details intact. The main entry features deep blue tiles painted with images of discus throwers, and metalwork light fixtures flank each door. Ornate Mediterranean stonework arches adorn the upper story windows. The roof is finished with fine red tile. According to the local newspaper, the cafeteria floors and dressing rooms are made of polished Terrazzo tile, and the gym flooring is maple.[54] [55]
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