Historic old King High crumbling by the minute

Old King High School has been an abandoned KISD building since the early 1990s. By Gloria Bigger-Cantu

“Let’s get together; let’s do something because something has to be done soon.”

This was the bottom line when Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate approached the Kingsville Independent School District board members asking them to take action on preserving the old H.M. King High School building, which continues to deteriorate daily.

The idea of restoring the old high school was initiated two decades ago, but so far nothing has materialized.

Many community observers are wondering if the historical building, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in July, has a future or not.

“Something has to be done, and what can the city do?” Fugate said during the public participation portion at a recent KISD meeting.

The mayor focused on what could be done financially to save the aging historic structure.

The roof of old King High continues to deteriorate. Reports and studies for potential reuse of the historical building were discussed in 1980, 1983, and 1989.

KISD paid $23,600 for a feasibility study conducted in 2005.

Fugate even suggested going into a bond issue or certificate of obligations at the school board meeting. . The mayor said he hoped the community would be committed to a renovation project.

He estimated the cost of the renovation would be about $8 million.

The repair of the roof structure has been estimated at $2 million.

Fugate requested getting a committee together that would include an engineer and planner. He believes funds could also be acquired through private donors.

Larry E. Garza, KISD board president, agreed with Fugate that it was time to act on the renovation of old H.M. King High, located on Third Street.

Garza said he would get a committee going and meet the first week in December.

“Our position is not asking for a handout but a handup commitment,” Garza said.

KISD would be willing to work with the city and Garza believes matching funds could be available from viable sources. He stated it would not be a “fly by night” project.

“Kingsville is a living legend, and that is where we are at pressing forward, but it has been a slow process,” Garza acknowledged.

Fugate, a practicing attorney, responded by stating that he shared KISD’s concerns with the wording and didn’t blame them for being cautious.

Last year KISD board members had considered allowing a foundation based in San Antonio to renovate the old school with certain stipulations.

Discussions had been ongoing with KISD and the foundation, that also include former Kingsville residents, but no final agreements have been settled.

Historical Landmark

The old H.M. King High School was recorded as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1983. The building facade features representations of three Texas missions.

The Alamo Mission centers the building, and the San Jose Mission design and the Concepcion Mission designs flank the building’s facade.

The restoration of the old high school was spearheaded by Fugate, who also spoke briefly at the public participation of a KISD board meeting back in 2005.

Some community leaders met in 2005, and Fugate, a former KISD board member, stated at that time “interest was moving fast and funds for the projects could be attainable.”

David Brown, an architect with Ferrell/Brown & Associates in Corpus Christi, appeared at a school board meeting in June 2005 where a feasibility study for the old high school was proposed and approved. KISD board members approved the cost of $23,600 at that time.

Brown told board members that the purpose of the feasibility study would be to determine the condition of the building and the viability of its future use, which could be a city hall or vistor’s attraction and other possibilities.

At one of the previous studies in 1989, the old high school, with 20,000 square feet, was photographed and declared in good shape, according to Brown.

At a special KISD meeting held in November 2005, Brown reported on the findings of the feasibility study. He revealed during the presentation that: “old H.M. King High School is imminently restorable in spite of its bad condition and old age and the building could serve as a city hall, multi-media development center for the KISD and possibly for eco-tourism.”

During his detailed presentation, Brown explained two strategies of rehabilitation and stabilization.

Rehabilitation refers to restoration of the building and stabilization refers to the measures to stop to the deterioration.

Building Conditions

He focused on the rehabilitation strategies. Brown stated the original structure appeared to be in good condition despite the age of the building. The foundation appeared to be in excellent condition. The concrete columns were in part in excellent condition except where some moisture infiltration had occurred.

Brown said the masonry was in good condition but the doors and windows were in poor condition. He believed that 80 percent of the roof tiles could be salvaged.

The architect stated that during a walk-through on Aug. 16, 2005, the inspectors discovered trash, mildew, and other debris in the abandoned building.

The four inspectors had to wear respirators and protective suits.

The 2005 feasibility report also revealed whether the restoration of the building could meet requirements as an educational facility.

The report stated: “At the time of its air conditioning in 1972, (even after the current high school was built), it continued to serve the educational needs of the Kingsville community as a middle school. However, as educational programs and teaching needs changed, the building’s viability as an educational facility waned. Limited classroom space and play areas coupled with a lack of food services capability created serious educational support issues. In addition, the basic design, well rooted in the educational and social needs of the first half of the century, did not lend itself to change.”

Brown stated in 2005 that restoring the abandoned facility would cost between $4 to $6 million. After the meeting, Brown said he was very enthusiastic about this project because the building had well-defined end usage and a real solid vision.

“These folks know what they want the building to be,” he said. “The building represents excellent balance of historical preservation and contemporary usage.”

Educational Legacy

The school was built on land donated by Mrs. Henrietta M. King, wife of the founder of Captain Richard King.

She also funded its construction in 1909.

Specifically, Mrs. King stated the land was donated for educational purposes.

Originally, designed as a “Public Schoolhouse for Kingsville, Texas,” the building served that role well for many years.

The 22 classrooms served all grade levels. The building burned in 1924 and was rebuilt again. The last class to graduate from that building was in 1964. KISD continued to use the building for adult education in the late 1980s.

Sometime during the early 1990s the facility ceased being used by KISD and has been literally abandoned and neglected since then.

The present King High School, located at 2210 Brahma Blvd., opened in 1965. KISD has allocated $13 million in bond money to upgrade the campus.

Since the last feasibility report, time continues to deal harshly with the historic landmark. Fallen roof tiles, broken class, and trash surround the building. Moisture penetrates the structure; rodents, pigeons, insects, snakes call old King High home, and vandalism occurs frequently at the old high school that once represented educational pride of Kingsville.