This is a picture of one of the first Durkee classes, comprised of mostly of Italian immigrants. Notice some students don't even have shoes.

John Edward Durkee [dUr´kE], came to Texas from the northern states. He owned property all over and around Houston. He owned a large area on the north side of Houston. He named this area Little York in honor of his home state, New York. Mr. Durkee was known for his generosity and civic pride. He donated the land on Little York Road to the Harris County School District #25. It was in recognition of his service to the community that the school was named Durkee Elementary School. Durkee Elementary opened its doors in 1912. By 1918, Durkee had three teachers. Around 1920, County District #25 was absorbed by the Houston Independent School District. About 1931, Durkee was closed and did not reopen until 1947 when the school population again caused Durkee to be needed. By 1950, Durkee had an enrollment of 82 in its four room red brick building. Durkee located on Little York, (located on what is now the property of Fonville MS) was closed again in the fall of 1954 when the new 16 classroom, Durkee was completed on Nordling near Rittenhouse Rd. The old red brick school was again reopened at mid-term of the 1954-55 school year to take care of some primary classes. In 1958, an addition of 8 new classrooms was added to the Nordling building. Then the red brick building was torn down and Fonville Junior High was built on that site. Between 1978 and 1980, Durkee Elementary went through another phase of remodeling. A new wing was added at an approximate cost of $900,000. The new wing added 19 classrooms including two Kindergarten rooms, four special education classrooms, a resource center, and a new media center.

Thanks for the history lesson. This fills in gaps for both Durkee and Fonville. Being raised on Coghill, er, Parker Rd. I always wondered. We moved there in 1958 after living near Airline and Little York for 2 years after we moved to Houston. As a pastor, I enjoy church and community history. For example, the church I currently pastor just celebrated its 85th anniversary of service. It used to meet in an old school building called the Wall School or the Gill School. Nice to know info. Thanks for sharing.

STEVEN SHEPHERD wrote:

Wall or Gill?  Where was that?  was it a public school?

It was a public school. Part of the lee County Schools. There were 2 thriving farming communities here that were about 3 miles apart. The old "Wall School" was combined with the "Gill School" according to a few who were here in the 20s. The Gill School was closed in the late 30s or early 40s, about the time of WW2.

Connie, Is the teacher in the Durkee picture my sister, Mrs. Betty Petty?  She taught there a few years.  Sue Davis (Coach Davis' wife.)

which picture? 

The Durkee class picture in the Surkee story.  Sue

Sue, I have no idea how old that picture is.  Do you think it is your sister?  Wouldn't that be wonderful. 

The picture is probably older than the time she was there in the 1950s.

I will see if I can get together with her so she can see it.  Sue

Noticed in the picture how someone said some of the people were not even wearing shoes.  It was normal that us boys did not wear shoes in the 50's, especially in Elementary school. It was not that our parents could not afford them, it was more of a tradition. We thought, I guess, that it was cool. I went all the way through the 6 grades in Kashmere and Scarbouough and we boys did not usually wear shoes in warm weather.

It was great to read about Durkee...the beginning.My dad went to Durkee...he was not italian but very poor. I was one of those who was granted the gift of going to this big old building for a brief time in I guess 1954.

In fact my memory serves me right. I and another girl were caught going up and down the stairs during recess. Punishment was standing before the class and having the back of our legs slapped with a ruler.......it hurt.

 I don't remember this teacher's name she was a substitute that day. My teacher was very upset when she heard about it. I was very shy and never misbehaved nor the other girl. It was was a little bit harsh........but I will always remember the old big red brick house building.

Thanks

Janice (Neice) Heavin

I think my sister taught there the first year that the "new" Durkee opened.

I do not know what year that was.

Sue Davis