Abilene’s “lost” landmark; the fight to preserve local Hispanic history at Sam Houston Elementary

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Suppose you chat with anyone who grew up in Abilene’s historic Barrio Sancudo. In that case, you’ll likely be regaled with memories of community gatherings, yearly reunions, and a childhood filled with close-knit neighborhood fun. Sandra Rodriguez no longer lives in Abilene but grew up there and holds deep roots in that historic neighborhood.

“My grandmother and my grandfather came to that neighborhood when there was no houses. And that was like in 1905.” Rodriguez told KTAB/KRBC.

Barrio Del Sancudo, which roughly translates to “Neighborhood of the Mosquito,” was well known for the large, pesky mosquitoes that thrived on the nearby creeks. However, the neighborhood is also known for being the only place Hispanic people could live for decades in Abilene.

“It was family; we were family, and we were all real good friends with the Herreras of Casa Herrera and Farolito restaurant. I grew up on Bois D’Arc Street. The Garcia’s and the Diaz’ down the street. I mean, everyone knew each other. We weren’t rich folks, but we were happy.” Said Rodriguez.

At the heart of that community was Sam Houston Elementary. Before it was constructed, many, like Rodriguez’s mother, attended the “Americanization school.” Houston took over in 1949 as the only school Hispanic Abelonians could attend.

“It means a lot to a lot of us. I know it does. Our mothers made our cheerleading costumes and our little pom-poms. We had some good memories, ” said Rodriguez.

She attended for six years, from 1961 through 1967. She says that at that young age, she was not aware of the segregation she was living through, but looking back, she is able to see just how different things were at that time.

“The other schools had a lot of privileges that we didn’t get. Like the lunch room, for instance. Nowadays, I mean a school would not be without a lunchroom. We didn’t have a cafeteria; we had a lunch lady that would make peanut butter, peanut butter, jelly, and sometimes ham sandwiches, and that was pretty much all.” Rodriguez said.

Integration officially came to Abilene in 1974, although some schools were desegregated before then. Rodriguez shares her memories of her first attendance at an integrated school.

“My teachers and students were all pretty nice. I remember the white students would sit together, and sometimes, I didn’t have any Hispanic kids that I knew in my class, so I felt alone. It was sad. But I started making friends with some white friends, and we’re having our 50th reunion this weekend, and I’m so excited, ” said Rodriguez.

In 1979, the Houston school transitioned to an alternative campus known as the AISD Student Achievement Center. A State historical marker was placed on the grounds in 2019; however, in the 2010s, its doors were shuttered for good. Since then, little has been done to preserve the grounds, and they have fallen to the ravages of time.

Houston school interior, 2017

“It’s sad. I hope they never tear it down. That is a landmark right there, a good historical place.” Rodriguez said.

She and so many others KTAB/KRBC spoke with in the Barrio Sancudo neighborhood were concerned about seeing the school and, with it, a piece of their history left to decay.

“It was obvious they had us over there in a little corner. And didn’t do much for our school. And that’s very important for our kids because they didn’t see that. They might catch some kind of prejudice now and then, but not like it used to be. Maybe make it, like I said, a museum Because that’s where it all started in that neighborhood. And that school should be very important to everyone.” Said Rodriguez.

She says the lessons of the past are so often the best teachers. Now, she says that if anything is going to be done to save the school, it might have to be that same family community that comes together to do it.

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