West Belton-T.B. Harris School

West Belton School had its origins about 1882 in the small community of Dangerfield in the area of today’s 2^nd Avenue. Until integration in 1966 in Belton, the school was segregated, serving all grade levels of only African American students. It was a frame building located on the west bank of Nolan Creek. In 1882, the Belton Public Free Schools authorized necessary repairs to the building and approved hiring a teacher. Mrs. Aleck McGee was hired as the first teacher at a salary of 35 dollars per month. Professor T. B. Harris was hired in 1890 and assigned to the school where he served as principal and instructor until his death in 1907. 

The name “West Belton School” was chosen in 1900. During the ensuing years, the school had many ups and downs. Three times the school was destroyed by fire. The last fire destroyed the six-room structure, and a new brick building was erected in 1936. It was named in honor of Professor Harris. The student body increased and along with it the campus enlarged. Under the leadership of T. W. Wright, frame buildings were constructed to house the vocational and hot lunch programs. A south wing with a library, three classrooms, office and hall space was added in 1951-1960 when M. W. Evans was principal. Guided by principal W. F. Simpson, a modern gym/auditorium was added east of the main building in 1962. The auditorium was the site of many community as well as school activities.

Big changes came about in the 1960s with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act forbade racial discrimination in any activity or program that received financial support from the federal government, including public school systems. The act required the elimination of racial discrimination from classrooms, school-sponsored projects outside the classroom, services to pupils, educational facilities, hiring and assignment of faculty, and parents’ participation in certain school activities

In March 1966, the Belton School Board instructed superintendent, N. L. Douglas, to notify all African American families that federal guidelines were in effect in Belton public schools. Douglas was ordered to integrate the schools at the junior high and high school levels, and to make Harris an elementary school. All elementary schools would be integrated on a free choice plan as far as facilities permitted. Letters were sent to families who had children in grades one through six in the coming school year. Forms were provided to allow students to select their choice of school for 1966-67. The Belton Journal reported on the closing of Harris School in September 1966. “In a called meeting on Sept. 7, the school board voted to close Harris as a Negro elementary school because its total enrollment included only 70 Negro and five Mexican children. For the past several years, all students in Belton schools have been free to attend the school of their choice in their district. With the close of school last May, the junior high and high school grades in Harris were closed because of their small enrollment.” By September 15, the phasing out of the school was completed, and all students were transferred into schools in the district in which they lived. The faculty of Harris was reassigned with the system especially where heavy loads were created by the transfer of students. Belton’s special education program was centralized at Harris School, and office space was designated to certain department heads. The gym at Harris continued to be used for eighth grade sports activities.

When former students reminisce about their time at the all-black school, they remember a place with a family feel. Classes were small, and the teachers knew all the students. Most former students reported no problems with racial violence other than name-calling. The white and black schools released students at different times to prevent the groups from getting in trouble. West-Harris students were let out at 4:30, an hour after the white school. However, many inequalities were evident to the students. The books and equipment were hand-me-downs from the white school. The football team was allowed to use the stadium on Fridays only if students from the white school had an away game. Otherwise, they used the field on Saturdays but were not permitted to use the score board or stadium lights. The school’s basketball team played on a dirt court. Many great black athletes played for Harris High School from the 1930s until the school closed. Their mascot was the Dragons, and they competed in the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL). Incomplete records as well as sporadic newspaper coverage of the teams hampered the recognition of many outstanding high school athletes. As a nod to the Dragons, the Belton New Tech High School adopted the mascot as its own in 2022.

Many dedicated teachers and principals served at Harris School. The principals were T. B. Harris, Milton McGee, L. B. Kinchion, W. T. Smith, T. W. Wright, M. W. Evans, and W. F. Simpson. In 1948, the black teachers of Bell County met at Harris School to form their own professional organization. Officers included Mrs. A. L. Lankford (president); G. L. Powell (1^st VP); Mrs. J.M. Brown (2^nd VP); Mrs. T. D. Boldering (recording secy); Mrs. Gertrude Polk (corresponding secy); Mrs. E. E. Carter (financial secy), and Mrs. C. L. Collins (treasurer).

The first reunion for the school was held in 1967 in Yettie Polk Park.The West Belton–T.B. Harris Ex-Students Association was formed in 1982 to preserve the memories and legacy of the school. Recently the name changed to West Belton–T.B. Harris Association to reflect its new mission to highlight the importance of education and open their events to non-Harris people. The West Belton-T.B. Harris School Association holds a homecoming and reunion annually. The school received a Texas State Historical Marker in 1998. In 2005, the Belton ISD donated the building to the City of Belton which subsequently issued a $900,000 bond to renovate the building. Restored in 2006, the old schoolhouse is now the Harris Community Center, home to local government and civic meetings as well as a unique destination for special events such as weddings and receptions

“Harris Closed as School.” Belton Journal. September 15, 1966. 

“Integration of Belton Schools Will Follow Official Guide Lines." Belton Journal, March 24, 1966.

Moore, Mindy. "The History Behind West Belton and T.B. Harris School." Belton Journal, June 20, 2022.

“Negro Teachers of Bell County Meet, Organize.” Belton Journal, January 22, 1948. 

Temple-Bell Retired Teachers Association. Bicentennial Committee. History of Bell County Public Schools, 1854-1976. Bell County, Tex.: the committee, 1976.

Tijerina, David L. “West Belton-Harris High Alums Remember “Family Feel.” Temple Daily Telegram, March 19, 2004.