The bulldozers began to tear away at the walls of the old Terrell School building. For African Americans with roots in Denison dating back to the 1800's, this was no ordinary demolition. A symbol of more than a century of Denison Public School history would be gone forever. Although the physical buildings of Anderson, Terrell School, Langston, Walton and Wims no longer exist, the legacy of the "separate but equal (segregated) schools" will live on.

History

Anderson School was constructed in 1886 at the corner of Mirick and Bond Street. It was the first city-supported school for Negro students in Denison ( The records also show that Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church was first used as a school for Negroes with classes taught by an Englishman named Norman, who might have been a minister). The faculty consisted of Principal, W.R. Wims and Teachers: Clara Coleman, Laura Poole Johnson, and Clarice Riddles.

Terrell School was established in 1927 and named in honor of August H. Terrell of Denison, Texas. W.R. Wims, principal of then Anderson School was elected principal. In 1936, two classrooms, an auditorium, and a mechanical arts shop were added. In 1939 the elementary department of Anderson school moved to the Terrell campus. Seven rooms were added and a new and more spacious auditorium was built.

In 1939, M.S. Frazier was elected principal of the combined schools. The faculty consisted of the principle and fourteen assistants. The enrollment was 500 students. The 1941 yearbook was published and dedicated to instructor E.T. Hardeman. There were eleven grades required for graduation in 1941. The 1941 class was the last class to graduate in eleven years. The tenth grade class of 1941 was moved to grade twelve to adhere to a twelve year graduation curriculum.

In 1948, Cosmetology was added, and in 1949-50, a cafeteria was added. In 1953, four classrooms, band room, gymnasium and physical education classrooms were added.

E.T. Hardeman was elected principal in 1954. The faculty consisted of the principal, twenty assistants, and an enrollment of 472. In 1954 the principal's office was enlarged to include an outer office with an extension telephone.

In 1957, special education classes and six additional classrooms were added. In 1957 the name Terrell was placed on the East Side of the building.

In 1959, the name Terrell was placed on the West Side of the building. In 1960 the library was renovated, and equipped with new furniture, visual materials, a workroom, and books for the elementary and high school departments. In 1961 Spanish was added to the high school curriculum. In 1962 Spanish was added to the elementary curriculum. The faculty consisted of the principal. 27 assistants, and an enrollment of 566.

School Song  

I

Dear Terrell we hail thee, all praise to thy name. Thy banners unfurl to thy breeze, Thy children salute thee and pledge to thy fame, Like soldiers who drink to the lees.

II

All around thee arise the first temples of God. Lifting high, leafy arms to the sky. While we pledge to thee daily to cherish and guard - All the lessons we've learned in thy halls.

III

To the youth of our town, to the youth of our race. Thou art ever a tower of strength, and in years of the future in hours of strife. We shall draw from thee wisdom and grace.

IV