•  Humble High School

    Charles Bender High School Campus

    Construction

    On February 13, 1929, the School Board memebers were unanimous in deciding that Robert E. Lee High School at Goose Creek, reduced in size, was about what was needed here in Humble as a high school.  They met with that school's architect, Harry D. Payne, and discussed designing such a building for Humble. Mr. Payne was hired, pending results of a bond election to pay for the new building.1  The bond would require little if any new taxes for the citizens.

    The new building, which would be fireproof, would have an auditorium with a seating capacity of at least 450.  There would also be a gymnasium and cafeteria.2

    The results of the bond election were canvassed.  The $140,000 schoolhouse bond passed on March 12, 1929: 312 votes in favor of the bond, and 36 votes against.3

    Mr. Payne presented preliminary plans for the new Junior-Senior High School building on March 28, 1929. At that same meeting of the School Board, it was decided to name the new building Charles Bender High School, in honor of the Bender family, for past donations and loyal support of the Humble schools.4

    In April, 1929, it was decided to build the new school on the same site as the Humble Grammar School (that had been dstroyed in the fire).5

    In May 1929, the School Board accepted the finalized drawings and designs of the new building, approved remodeling the old high school to become an elementary school, and authorized Mr. Payne to solicit proposals for the construction work and materials.6

    The General Contractor to build the school was awarded to C. W. Ennis for $124,950. Walker Heating and Plumbing Co. was awarded $18,704 for their work, and Caywood Electric won their bid for $6,200.  In the end, Architect Payne would earn a 5% fee totalling $7,492.75.7

    The School Board decided to go with a different type of stone for the cornerstone (gray granite) than originally planned.8

    In December, the board approved the following bids for equipment at the school:9

    Bickley Bros

    - Opera Chairs ($2,094.75)

    - General Furniture ($932.30)

    - Rest Room Furniture ($66.60)

    - Library & Commercial Furniture ($2,150)

    - Domestic Science Lab Furiniture ($1,445.90)

    - Domestic Science Equipment ($638.90)

    - Sanitary Equipment ($502.20)

    - Floor Mats ($33.75)

    E. H. Shelton Co.

    - Science Lab Furniture & Equipment ($3,557.76)

    W. M. Welch Co.

    - Cafeteria Equipment ($423.30)

    C. A. Bryant Co.

    - Shades ($535.00)

    - Folding Chairs ($630)

    In January 1930, the Bender family donated $3,025 to the district to purchase furnishings and stage scenery for the new building. A contract was then awarded to Houston Scenic Co. for the purchase of stage scenery for $2,500.10

    On February 5, 1930, the School Board accepted custody of the Charles Bender High School, dependent on additional work that was still to be done on the building.11

    Renovations

    A $300,000 schoolhouse bond was passed by the voters on May 21, 1955.  202 votes were in favor of the bond, with 80 votes against it.  The bond was used to pay for (1) an addition of 2 rooms for the south end of the Humble Elementary School building on Charles Street,  two rooms to be later converted into a field house for the Charles Street Stadium, (2) an addition to Charles Bender High School of a gymnasium, cafeteria and band hall, and (3) agriculture class-rooms and shop building.12

    Bell, Jackson & Watt were contracted to demolish the old elementary building on Higgins Street (that was originally built as Humble High School).13

    Rough sketches of the proposed gymnasium, cafeteria and band hall were approved by the board in August 1955.14

    A total of fifteen bids were received for the high school construction project.  The construction contract was awarded to Gulf Construction Company for $218,888.15

    1  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 13 February 1929

    2  "Humble School Bond Election Will Be Held," Galveston Daily News, 1 March 1929, page 5

    3  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 12 March 1929

    4  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 28 March 1929

    5  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 22 April 1929

    6  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 13 May 1929

    7  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 5 June 1929

    8  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 11 October 1929

    9  Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 26 December 1929

    10 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 4 January 1930

    11 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 5 February 1930

    12 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 23 May 1955

    13 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 26 July 1955

    14 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 3 August 1955

    15 Humble Independent School District, "Minutes of the School Board, 29 October 1955