F.W. Wheeler School

 The history of the F.W. Wheeler High School stretches over a period of (46) years 1920-1966.

A Mr. Martin was the first recorded principal of what was then called Wortham Colored School. He served until 1932. The school was located adjacent to what was known as Mexia Fabricators and is now owned by General Dynamics. It consisted of about 20 acres.

In 1932, Mr. F.W. Wheeler became the principal and agriculture teacher. It was under his administration that the school became Tuskegee of the West Training School, named after the Tuskegee Institute founded by Booker T. Washington in Georgia. The school had a farm where the students participated in growing fruits and vegetables. This produce was sold fresh or canned in the School's cannery. One of the products grown on the farm was broom corn, the school had a broom factory where they made brooms. There was also a printing shop where the basics of printing could be learned and job printing could be done for the public.

Working along with Mr. Wheeler was his wife Mary Lula Wheeler. Her duties consisted mainly of helping young ladies in the cannery. Under Mr. Wheelers administration the school began to grow and soon became an accredited school thru the 11th grade. This called for an additional staff of 3 teachers. Mary Lulu Wheeler, Viviene Pickford and Mrs. U.G. Hill

Students were charged a tuition fee of $2.00 for primary grades, $3.00 for grammar and $4.00 for high school.

In 1932, F.W. Wheeler resigned and A.E. Alton became principal and agriculture teacher. He was a graduate of Prairie View A.M. University. He received his B.S. degree in 1927 and his M.S. Degree in 1932 at Cornell University. Under his administration the name of the school changed back to Wortham Colored School.

Mr. S.E. Palmer became principal in 1935 and Mr. David Johnson from 1937 to 1940. The curriculum had expanded even though industry work was still being done.

In the 1940's the school became known for its interscholastic abilities, in county, region and state. under Mr. MR. Evans 1940-49. The school became active in sports and trophies were received for outstanding performances.

Mr. Robert Forman resigned as principal for a short period of 1 year from 49-50. After his departure Mr. Thadis Davis became principal from the years of 1950-1957. The school no longer had a football team, but they did continue to do well in inter- scholastic leagues. It was under Mr. Davis administration that the school was changed to F.W. Wheeler High School, named after the late great F.W. Wheeler.  The school had outgrown its old facilities  and it was decided by the school board that a new school was needed. In the year of 1956 construction began on the new building where now stands Mexia Fabricators.  In 1957 the new building was completed and open house was held for what officially became known as F.W. Wheeler High School. This was under the term of H. P. Foster, 1957-1966. Mr. Foster was a graduate of Samuel Huston, Austin, Tx. He received his Masters from Prairie View A.M. and did post graduate work at Baylor University. During this time the school no longer has a track team, but spirits remained high. As a result of the 1954 Supreme Court decision, in which segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional, the school was quietly closed in 1966 under the reign of H.P. Foster.

This research information was compiled by Myrtle Randle Fowlks 1986