Becker School Plaque

In 1935, a generous gift shaped the future of education in South Austin. We stand before the Becker School Plaque, a testament to this pivotal moment. The Becker School Plaque commemorates Herman Becker and his family’s contribution to the community. Herman Becker, a successful café owner, purchased part of the Bouldin homestead in 1891. His son, H.E. Becker, and son-in-law, P.A. Wilde, owned the Becker Lumber Company. They donated three acres of that land to the Austin Independent School District in 1935. This land became the site of the new Becker School. Before Becker School opened in 1936, all students in South Austin, regardless of age, attended Fulmore School. Imagine the excitement when four busloads of first, second, and third graders arrived at the newly constructed Becker School in October 1936. These students were making history, attending the first elementary school in South Austin. The school building, designed by the firm Giesecke and Harris, originally opened in October 1936. Just three years later, a new wing more than doubled its size. The Becker School’s Art Deco style showcases brick cladding, limestone columns, pilasters, belt courses, and decorative insets. Contrasting materials emphasize simple geometric forms, a hallmark of the Art Deco era. The campus has seen several additions over the years, evolving with the needs of the community. The Becker School Plaque stands as a reminder of the generosity of the Becker family. Their gift has impacted generations of students in South Austin. It’s a tribute to the power of community and the importance of education. This plaque, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark since 2007, invites us to reflect on the history and growth of education in South Austin.