National Register Listing

Lott-Canada School

a.k.a. Lott--Canada High School; Beeville Rosenwald School

900 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville, TX
The Lott-Canada School in Beeville, Bee County, Texas was built between 1931 and 1932 with funds from the Julius Rosenwald School Building Program, established in 1917 for the advancement of African-American education in the rural South. The building serves as a physical reminder of this philanthropic program and is the sole extant property directly linked to the history of African-American education in the community, representing an era when legally-mandated separate but rarely equal--accommodations for black students were the norm throughout the southern United States. The building is a good example of a Rosenwald school modeled on Community School Plan #4A and is it nominated to the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion A, in the areas of Education and Ethnic Heritage-African-American, under the context Historic and Architectural Resources Associated with the Rosenwald School Building Program (MPS, 1998). The period of significance extends to 1964 when Bee County public schools became fully integrated; Criteria Consideration G, for properties that have achieved significance within the last fifty years, therefore applies, as the building continued to function as a segregated public school. The building is exceptionally significant as a rare physical reminder of segregated African-American education in Bee County, Texas.
Local significance of the building:
Education; Black

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

education ethnic heritage black
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
Texas random facts
Bee County, located in south-central Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back to ancient times. The area was once home to indigenous tribes such as the Karankawa and Lipan Apache. It was visited by Spanish explorers in the 17th century, including Alonso de Leon and Francisco Hidalgo.

In the 19th century, Bee County underwent significant changes due to the arrival of American settlers. In 1857, Bee County was officially formed and named after Colonel Barnard E. Bee, a hero of the Texas Revolution. The county began to flourish with the establishment of ranching and farming communities. The emergence of railroads in the late 1800s further boosted the area's growth, connecting Bee County to markets in nearby counties and facilitating economic development.

The discovery of oil in Bee County in the early 20th century signaled another wave of prosperity. The county experienced a boom in oil production, attracting workers and capital to the area. This development led to the growth of towns such as Beeville, the county seat, as well as significant infrastructure improvements. Agriculture, including cotton and livestock, also continued to play a crucial role in the county's economy during this period.

Today, Bee County remains a vibrant community with a diverse economy. It is known for its agricultural output, with cattle ranching, cotton farming, and vegetable cultivation being key industries. The county also benefits from the presence of the oil and gas industry, which continues to contribute to its economic stability. Bee County's rich history and natural beauty make it an attractive destination for visitors and residents alike.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bee County, Texas.

  • 1836: Bee County is part of the newly independent Republic of Texas.
  • 1837: The Texas legislature establishes Bee County as a separate county from San Patricio County.
  • 1858: The county seat is moved from old Fort Ewell to the newly established village of Beeville.
  • 1908: The first oil well is drilled in Bee County.
  • 1930s: Oil production in Bee County booms and greatly impacts the local economy.
  • 1942: Chase Field, a naval aviation training base, is established in Beeville during World War II.
  • 1960s: Beeville experiences significant economic growth due to the establishment of several manufacturing plants.
  • 1990: Bee County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • 2006: The Bee County Courthouse, a historic landmark, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.