Newsletters

John J. Pershing Middle School

By J.R. Gonzales on March 4, 2010 at 6:17 AM

Chronicle file

Pershing Middle in December 1949.

Well, looking back over Monday’s blog post just reaffirmed my belief that it’s the commenters who make this blog what it is. I just post the picture. It’s the readers who provide the real content!

So, based on the reactions from Monday’s blog post, I thought it would be good to focus on another school and see who else might chime in. It will be interesting to see the different experiences Houstonians have growing up in different parts of town. For example, someone who went to Austin or Wheatley or Dow might have a different experience growing up here compared to a former Aldine, Spring Branch or Bellaire student.

Anyway, today we’re dropping by the southwest side, to John J. Pershing Middle School.

According to HISD, Pershing Middle was built in 1928 and was originally located next to West University Elementary off University. In 1949, the school was moved to a new facility at 7000 Braes, which is what you see in these pictures.

A Houston Chronicle caption from 1950 said the $2 million school “greatly relieved the crowded conditions at West University Elementary School.” The principal at the time was Clarence Orman.

Not everyone, apparently, was a fan of the school. In August 1958 someone set fire to a classroom annex. Houston fire officials told the Chronicle that there didn’t appear to be a link between that and an arson earlier in the month at Spring Branch High School.

The article concluded:

A sign painted, “I hate this school” was found by firemen on one side of the Pershing building, but principal John A. Ratliff said the sign was an old one.

Over the years Farrah Fawcett, and Randy and Dennis Quaid attended school in the 1949 building.

In 2007, the school building was replaced by a new one next door at 3838 Bluebonnet Blvd.

Chronicle file

Pershing Middle in July 1954. Perhaps someone can clear up why the school is referred to as a high school in this picture.

Tom Colburn : Chronicle file

From the Aug. 16, 1958, Houston Chronicle: “Reading, writing and arson: Viewing damage at Pershing Junior High, 7000 Braes Blvd., are, left to right, Marsha McReynolds, 14, Marsha Bagwell, 14, and Elaine Lewis, 14.