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16 Grandeur of Gonzales WATER STREET OR RIVERSIDE SCHOOL From its earliest days, education for Mexican-Americans in Texas has varied from none at all, to education for all. In circa 1914, the Water Street School sometimes referred to as the "Water Street Mexican School" was built to serve the Mexican-American student population in the community. Initially classes were conducted for grades one through six in its four classrooms. In 1922, shortly after it was renamed Riverside School, the grade levels were reduced to first through third. In 1928, heat was added. And, in 1930 two more classrooms were added along with a girls' toilet. Due to the growing student population in the 1940s, a house across the street and two rooms from the nearby Catholic Church were rented for classrooms. In addition, the two-room Stieren school building was moved from its rural location north of Gonzales to the Riverside School site to provide for more classrooms. In 1948, a court decision passed requiring Mexican-American students to be integrated and attend school with the Anglo children. In circa 1950, Riverside school was closed as a school for Mexican-American Students, and subsequently used by Edward High School for educating local African American children in grades four through six until 1965. The Riverside School building is significant in the history of Gonzales public education. Built to provide classrooms for Mexican-American children, it was designed to provide children opportunities for success regardless of their heritage, economic status, or home language. Though Riverside School closed, its impact continues to be felt through the generations of students who once attended the school and its success as an institution where children received an education. Photograph by Leslie Jannsen, Gonzales Camera Club

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