History of Mary C. Womack High School

Before 1888, the only facility for African-Americans in Longview was a one-room, one-teacher school located in the north section of town.

In 1888, the Longview School Board purchased a site on East Marshall Avenue and erected a four-room frame building, which was the first "recognized" school for African-American youth in Longview. From this four-room structure grew a two-story frame building which was called the Colored High School and later North Ward. In 1908, the first student graduated from this high school under the principalship of W. M. Daniels and a staff of four teachers.

The discovery of oil in the early 1930s brought an increase in population in the Longview area, and consequently, a new school. A site was purchased adjacent to the Colored Southside School on Gum Street to build a 14-room brick structure to serve as a secondary school.

The Longview Negro High School, under the principalship of Leslie J. White (1930-1945) with a staff of ten teachers, was fully accredited by the state education department. There were more than 200 students enrolled in the high school.

In 1945, J.L. Everhart assumed the high school principalship, replacing L.J. White who resigned to accept another position.

Three years later, a new 16-room modern high school building was constructed to replace the 1930 structure destroyed by fire in 1946. It was named Mary C. Womack High School in 1959/60 in honor of teacher Mary C. Womack. This school, accredited by the Texas Education Agency and Southern Association of Secondary Colleges and Schools, had a staff of 20 teachers, one full-time principal, and an enrollment of 486 students in grades 9-12.

Following total integration of the schools in 1970, the Womack High School building was eventually closed. It was later torn down in 1983.

In 1978, an alumni reunion was held for classes of the Longview Negro High School and Mary C. Womack High School (1908-1970). It was sponsored by the Eta Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Other Longview Schools:

Northside Elementary, located on East Marshall between First and Second Street, was opened in 1929 as an African-American school. It was later renamed Janie Daniel Elementary.

Rollins Elementary, built in 1953 for African American students, closed in 1970. It was located on Humble Road near Rollins St.