Mitchell School

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna give it to you straight. Back in 1898, the citizens of Victoria went to the polls and voted to establish an Independent School District. And they didn't waste any time dreaming small.

The plan called for eight schools right out of the gate: four for Anglos, four for African Americans. That was the vision from the very start. Then in 1901, the school trustees brought in a man named Jules Leffland, a prominent local architect, and they acquired this very site for something ambitious: the first Anglo high school in Victoria.

Leffland went to work, and in 1902 the building was completed. They called it Central High School, and by all accounts it was something to see. But schools have a way of outgrowing their names almost as fast as they outgrow their walls.

In 1918, secondary school students were reassigned to the new Patti Welder High School, and just like that, Central High School became Third Ward School, serving elementary grades. Then in 1922 the name changed again. This time it was changed to honor a man named J.D.

Mitchell, born in 1848 and gone in 1922, one of the school district's very first trustees, a former city council member, and a state legislator. Now, Leffland had built the man an imposing three-story structure, and that building stood proud for decades. But it took its hits.

Fires in 1935 and 1943 did major damage, and the third floor had to come off entirely. More alterations followed over the years as the needs of the place kept changing. Today Mitchell School no longer rings the bell for elementary students, but it has not given up its purpose.

It still stands as an educational center, housing the classes of the Mitchell Guidance Center. Some buildings just refuse to be done teaching.

What the marker says

The citizens of Victoria voted to establish an Independent School District in an 1898 election. Immediate plans called for the building of eight schools: four for Anglos and four for African Americans. In 1901 school trustees hired prominent local architect Jules Leffland to design two buildings,and this site was acquired for the first Anglo high school. Named Central High School, it was completed in 1902. After secondary school students were reassigned to the new Patti Welder High School in 1918, the school at this site was renamed Third Ward School and served elementary grades. The name was changed again in 1922 to honor J.D. Mitchell (1848-1922), one of the school district's first trustees and a former city council member and state legislator. Leffland's imposing 3-story school building suffered major damage due to fires in 1935 and 1943, resulting in the removal of the third floor. Additional alterations occurred over the years to meet the changing needs of the facility. Although no longer in use as an elementary school, Mitchell School continues to serve as an educational center, housing classes of the Mitchell Guidance Center. (1995)