Ball High School Plaque

Can you imagine a world without public high schools? Imagine that instead of these institutions, there were only private or parochial schools. That was the reality in Galveston, Texas before 1881. That year, the City of Galveston became one of the first cities in Texas to establish a public school system. The Ball High School Plaque commemorates the story of how a generous businessman named George Ball helped to make this public education system a reality. You’re standing here, in front of a plaque that tells the story of a man who dreamt of providing equitable opportunity for all the children of Galveston. This plaque is a testament to the legacy of George Ball who generously offered to donate $50,000 for the construction of a high school. George Ball was a prominent figure in Galvestonian society. He was a dry-goods merchant, owning a successful store on Post Office Street. The plaque recounts the city leaders deciding to let George Ball finance the building of a high school, a sign of his status and influence. It was a remarkable act of generosity, particularly in that era. George Ball passed away a month before the cornerstone for the high school was laid on February 15, 1884, leaving behind a legacy of civic spirit and dedication to education that would serve the city of Galveston for generations to come. The inscription on the cornerstone was simple yet powerful, saying “George Ball to the Children of Galveston.” Ball High School finally opened its doors to students on October 1st, 1884. Its story is a poignant reminder of the importance of vision, generosity, and public service in a time when communities were still struggling to overcome inequalities.