Ball High School
Earlier today, I had the privilege (and pleasure) of speaking to a group of career-minded female students at Ball High School. I was invited to speak about my education and career in journalism and my life as a publishing entrepreneur. The invitation came from Francis Dyess, a friend and fellow member of Texas Executive Women. The experience could not have been more fun.
First, I always enjoy being with young women who have an eye on their futures. And, secondly, I always enjoy sharing my story of knowing at an early age “what I wanted to be when I grew up” and, more importantly, how I knew!
The girls were especially attentive, and after my talk, they asked a lot of very good questions. Clearly, they were smart and ambitious young women and quite serious about realizing their own dreams — of going on to college and, afterwards, pursing meaningful lives of purpose. I was truly impressed!
At the same time, I was also impressed by this large and beautiful school.
Though The Bungalow is located only a few blocks away, I had never been inside Ball High School. And, though I knew a few tidbits about the history of the school, I did not have enough facts to chat knowingly about it. This evening, I aimed to change that. Thus, below are some of the interesting facts I’ve just learned about this historic public school.
Ball High School
The school opened to 200 students on October 1, 1884. It consisted of 12 classrooms, two offices and an auditorium. Its motto was “Best school south of St. Louis and west of the Mississippi.”
On March 4, 1886, the school was named for its benefactor, George Ball, a local dry goods businessman who, in 1883, contributed $50,000 for its construction. Sadly, he did not live to see its completion.
In 1890, Mrs. George Ball spent $47,000 to remodel, enlarge and beautify the building. At this time, the Rotunda and Dome were added to the north front of the building.
In September 1900, the Great Storm struck, and Ball High School was not spared from the fury of its waves and wind. The west wall slipped; the roof blew off; plaster crumbled; windowpanes crashed; and the metal covering was stripped from the ball of the dome, showing its skeleton of steel ribs.
Afterwards, the citizens of Galveston raised the $45,000 needed to repair the high school and other Galveston schools and, also, to pay the teachers’ salaries.
In 1915, two wings of classrooms were added to the school. And, then, for 30 years, no additions or improvements were made. Today, the main building of the old Ball High School, still stands at the corner of 21st and Ball Avenue. It has been remodeled and expanded and houses the home offices of the American Indemnity Company.
In 1954, the Ball High School complex moved to its new location at 41st and Avenue O. This new building cost $3.2 million to build and covered a four-square-block area (from 41st to 43rd Streets and Avenue O to Avenue P). The new location has received many additions and renovations over the years - in 1964, 1974, 1981, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2005.
During the 2018-2019 school year, Ball High School had a student enrollment of over 2,045. The total minority enrollment was 73 percent, with 57 percent of students identified as economically disadvantaged.
Over the years, Ball High School has produced many highly successful graduates - architects, artists, attorneys, businessmen and women, engineers, musicians, politicians, physicians, etc.
Additionally, 29 professional athletes claim Ball High School as their beloved aluma mater. And all, I’m sure, still remember well their days at Ball High School, playing for the Golden Tornadoes (Tors) and wearing proudly the team colors of purple and gold.
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2022
- Mar 17, 2022 Ivy Dishes
- Jan 29, 2022 Grace Episcopal Church
- Jan 1, 2022 100 Years
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2021
- Aug 25, 2021 My Fig Tree
- Apr 28, 2021 Darlene's Shrimp
- Apr 24, 2021 Oleander Festival
- Feb 27, 2021 Great Winter Storm
- Feb 10, 2021 The Mourning Wave
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2020
- Oct 26, 2020 Crepe Myrtles
- Sep 18, 2020 Trimming the Palms
- Jul 19, 2020 The Dancers
- Jul 11, 2020 Postcards
- Jun 20, 2020 Resilience Flag
- Jun 19, 2020 Juneteenth
- Jun 10, 2020 Silk Stocking
- May 27, 2020 Tree Sculptures
- May 6, 2020 Babe's Beach
- Apr 22, 2020 Opera House
- Mar 2, 2020 Texas Heroes Monument
- Feb 15, 2020 Mardi Gras Parade
- Jan 19, 2020 St. Joseph's Church
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2019
- Dec 15, 2019 Celebrations
- Nov 6, 2019 Fresh Paint
- Oct 21, 2019 Jazz Age Series
- Oct 20, 2019 ARToberFEST
- Oct 6, 2019 Stingeree
- Oct 5, 2019 Pumpkin Time
- Oct 2, 2019 Sea Turtles
- Sep 29, 2019 Powhatan House
- Sep 24, 2019 The Dolphins
- Sep 5, 2019 Lucas Apartments
- Aug 24, 2019 Sandcastles
- Aug 9, 2019 The Daily News
- Jul 18, 2019 Beach Walk
- Jul 10, 2019 La King's
- May 25, 2019 Pleasure Pier
- May 1, 2019 Bolivar Ferry
- Mar 15, 2019 Saengerfest Park
- Jan 19, 2019 Moody Mansion
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2018
- Dec 18, 2018 The Vintage Suitcase
- Dec 17, 2018 Festival of Lights
- Dec 2, 2018 Sunday Brunch
- Nov 21, 2018 Hendley Row
- Oct 27, 2018 Island Oktoberfest
- Sep 20, 2018 The Strand Clock
- Sep 16, 2018 St. Mary Cathedral
- Aug 11, 2018 No More Shed
- Jun 10, 2018 Rosenberg Library
- May 7, 2018 Stepping It Up
- May 3, 2018 A Happy Hour
- May 1, 2018 Ashton Villa
- Apr 21, 2018 96th Birthday
- Apr 1, 2018 Seawolf Park
- Mar 27, 2018 Ball High School
- Mar 15, 2018 East End
- Feb 1, 2018 Tremont House
- Jan 26, 2018 Menardi Gras
- Jan 24, 2018 Mardi Gras Decor
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2017
- Dec 1, 2017 Miss Ruby
- Oct 8, 2017 Railroad Museum
- Oct 7, 2017 Tall Ship Elissa
- Sep 9, 2017 Star Drug Store
- Sep 8, 2017 1900 Storm Statue
- Aug 6, 2017 The Turquoise Table
- Aug 1, 2017 Bishop's Palace
- Jul 23, 2017 Garten-Verein
- Jul 21, 2017 Yard Work
- Jul 16, 2017 The Strand
- Jun 17, 2017 Stewart Beach
- Jun 7, 2017 The Original
- Jun 3, 2017 Murdochs
- May 27, 2017 Bryan Museum
- May 19, 2017 Firemen on Call
- May 13, 2017 Williams-Borden Neighborhood
- May 1, 2017 Oleander City
- Apr 28, 2017 God Winks