Cypress PowerPoint Script
1- Cy-Fair High School, 1941
Cy-Fair High School was officially established on the same land as the
first school building of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.
There were only three students in the first graduating class. In May of 1941,
a new brick high school was built. At the time it was called Cypress-
Fairbanks High School, but the name was shortened to Cy-Fair High School
later. The students all walked together into their new building. After the
completion of this building, Rural High School #5 was converted to an
elementary school but burned down in the early fall of 1942. Until another
school could be built, the elementary students also attended the new high
school.
2- Rural One-room Schoolhouse
This one-room schoolhouse was the very beginning of the Cypress-
Fairbanks Independent School District. It was built in 1884 and was
called Big Cypress Schoolhouse No. 2, District 6. It was destroyed by the
powerful hurricane that hit Galveston Island and the Gulf Coast area in
1900. The building was rebuilt and destroyed again in 1915 by a storm.
3- Rural High School #5
This wood frame schoolhouse was built in 1937 for high school
students. It was built on the land where Lamkin Elementary is located
today. The building was considered very modern at that time because it
had a music room and a full-sized gymnasium.
4- First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt Visits Cypress School
In 1938, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Cypress school. She
was trying to gain support for the National Youth Administration Project
which was responsible for the construction of teachers’ cottages and an
annex built to the main campus earlier in the year in the Cypress district. Her
visit created a great deal of excitement within the small district. A second
grader heard about the visit, ran into his classroom, and exclaimed,
“Mrs. George Washington is here!”
5- Millsap Elementary School
All of the elementary campuses in the district are named for someone
who has served in an important position within the school district.
Millsap Elementary is named for E.A. Millsap, who is regarded as the
“Father of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.” In 1932, Mr. Millsap served as the first
superintendent of the district and also taught several courses, including
wood shop and mathematics. He also helped with custodial duties at
the school until a fulltime custodian could be hired.
6-Tin Hall
Tin Hall, which is located on Huffmeister Road not far from Millsap
Elementary, was originally built to hold shooting competitions and as a social
gathering place. The men brought their guns, and the women
shared their favorite recipes with each other. It is the oldest reception
hall in Harris County. It gets its name because it is made of iron. Tin Hall
continued to serve as a family gathering place for many years and is still
in use today.
7-Big Cypress Creek
General Sam Houston camped along Cypress Creek on his way to the
famous battle that occurred at San Jacinto. He led his troops to
victory there following the tragic battle at the Alamo. Sam Houston
and the Texan troops defeated Santa Anna and his men at the Battle of San
Jacinto in eighteen minutes. One of the high schools in the district is called
Cypress Creek High School.
8-Ravensway Subdivision
Sam Houston was given the nickname “Raven” by the chief of the
Cherokee Indians. This area in Cypress, Texas, where Sam Houston and
his men camped, is called Ravensway in his honor. Students in the
Ravensway subdivision attend Millsap Elementary.
9-Lamkin Elementary School
Lamkin Elementary is named after Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Lamkin, Jr. Mr.
Lamkin served as superintendent of the district beginning in 1947 and
was the principal at Fairbanks Elementary for nine years before that.
Lamkin Elementary is located on the original site of the one-room
schoolhouse, the first building to be built in the school district.
10-Cy-Fair High School, 2006
Cy-Fair High School was completely renovated in 2001 at a cost of 28
million dollars. The original building is part of the newly remodeled high
school. It was the first high school built in the district. For many years as
travelers were driving into Houston, it was the only landmark visible on Old
Highway 290. It was considered a rural high school until the population in
the Cypress area began to grow rapidly.
11-Juergen’s General Store
After the fight for Texas’ independence, German settlers began
arriving at the port of Galveston. They were looking for freedom and
inexpensive land. They began to move inland, and many settled in the
Cypress area. In this area, the settlers found large amounts of rain, rich soil,
and a mild climate that provided a long growing season. One of the first
businesses in the Cypress area was Juergen’s General Store. It was built in
1898.
12-Dance Hall
This building, the Dance Hall, was another place where people in the area
would gather for social occasions. Many dances and parties were held
her for many years.
13-Leon’s Barber Shop
Other businesses began to spring up in the area, including Leon’s
Barber Shop. These buildings can still be seen today when driving
down Old Hempstead Highway. This road runs parallel to Highway 290.
14-St. John Lutheran Church
This church was originally constructed on the banks of Little Cypress Creek
in 1916 by German craftsmen. The chapel served the congregation of St.
John Lutheran Church. It was moved to its current location in 1980. The
church, now known as Heritage Presbyterian Church, is the site of many
small weddings today and is a well-recognized landmark as families drive
down Highway 6.
15-Gazebo
A gazebo is a small roofed open-air pavilion often used for musical
performances, outdoor dining, or entertaining. It is often octagonal in
shape with open, screened, or latticework sides. In the past, families would
gather on the church grounds near the gazebo and spread a quilt to
enjoy a family picnic after the church services.
16-Historical Marker
This historical marker, which sits beside the church, was dedicated in 1980.
Texas historical markers educate the public about Texas history and are
often seen as one is driving down the highway. The topics of the markers
can include people, events, buildings, churches, communities, and
cemeteries.
17-Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center (Berry Center)
This is one of the most recent additions to the Cypress-Fairbanks
Independent School District. It is the Richard E. Berry Educational Support
Center. This building is named after Richard E. Berry, who served as
superintendent of the district from 1992-2002. It is used for staff
development for school employees and is used by the community as well.
Beginning in 2006, all high school graduations will be held here. There is a
state-of the-art football stadium next to the building.