To paraphrase an old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a multitude of interested and inspired people to preserve an old school. This is true of Henrietta M. King High School.

Several years ago some King Ranch family members began a study of renovating the decaying school. For various reasons the plans did not materialize. One of the major stumbling blocks was a feasible use for the facility. It was declared unusable as a school building and another purpose could not be ascertained at that time.

In later years the Kleberg County Historical Commission invited the architect who had prepared plans for the renovation to present his ideas and show slides of the building’s inner structure. Funding to undertake the job was not available. No progress occurred.

As the citizens of Kingsville passed their old schoolday friend daily, they reminisced about times spent there. They also noticed the falling roof tiles and wished for a better life for the old place. Nothing was happening.

Finally some citizens led by Mrs. Helen Kleberg Groves, great granddaughter of H.M. King donor, took up the reins to find a way to bring the building back to life. The first step was working with the Kingsville Independent School District to transfer the property to a private foundation. KISD Board President, Larry Garza, a graduate from the last class to leave King High in 1964, spent many hours unraveling the legal aspects of turning public property to a private group for use and preservation. Time and thought were expended by both school board members and foundation participants. No one was happier than Mr. Garza to transfer H.M. King to the Foundation and watch it begin a new life.

Is this a happy ending to a fairy tale? Not by any means. Mrs. Groves’ generous gift is the beginning of a colossal project that needs input from those who cherish their fond memories and honor the friends, parents, teachers and school boards of the past who turned out some high-class citizens here. What a crop!

Let’s step back in time and remember some school board members who gave many hours for our local schools. Charles Flato, Jr. served as the first school board president. He had his finger in every pie, and helping kids was one of his favorite activities. Adored by the school children, he sent each child a special birthday message and a little gift every year. Little girls often walked by his office to receive a candy stick and a kind word or two.

Through the years many outstanding community leaders volunteered for school board service. Among them were T.C. Moore, who arrived with the first railroad workers. He owned a planning mill and kept busy with building projects. He built a two-story rooming house for teachers at 217 West Kenedy that still stands today. Prosperous farmer, W.K. Cumberland whose descendents still remain in the area offered his time to school business. Henry H. Kendall, a railroad engineer who brought one of the first trains through town and was killed when bandits derailed his train near Brownsville, presided over the board. The newspaper of that time said he had the largest funeral procession ever in Texas. Over 920 children marched to his service.

Among others who put in long hours to solve problems and plan for children’s futures were L.C. McRoberts, the Nick Harrels (both father and son), all who had elementary schools take their names. Mrs. Hendery Allison, one of the first nurses at the Kleberg County Hospital in 1914 and wife of a doctor, was probably one of the first women to serve on the board. I received my diploma from her when I walked across the stage in 1940.

Today’s president, Larry Garza, may hold the longevity record with 17 years of meetings, workshops, and problem solving exercises. These people gave a service to the community that can never be measured.