History of BSHS
Just a little about BSHS . . .
BSHS 1880-81
In the early 1800's, the railroad brought people to the area. Two local men, S.W. Hilburn and J.W. Meeks, as well as citizen's of the area wanted their children to be proficient in the "three R's" resulting in the decision that the area needed a school. In 1880, Buffalo hides and poles were used to create the first Howard County school. It stood close to where the present entrance of Comanche Trail Park.
BSHS 1902-21
The Big Spring Independent School District was perfected on Dec. 16, 1901. A bond election was held and the old two-story building was moved from the grounds so that new construction could begin. The new brick building housed all ten grades. it was called Central Ward High School. The first official graduating class of Big Spring High School was in 1904. In 1907, a bond was issued to relieve congestion. There were 120 high school students that were provided instruction from 4 teachers. Big Spring High School published the first newspaper and annual in 1907. In 1909, the North and South Ward buildings were built and housed the elementary students.
BSHS 1920-28
Big Spring ISD became affiliated with the Texas Department of Education during the administration of M.H. Brasher. The first part of a new high school building was built and the first graduating class was in 1917. In 1924, a bond was passed and the junior high school was added. This building later become known as Runnels Jr. High but was also known to many as Central Ward Elementary.
BSHS 1929-51
Due to the discovery of oil nearby, Big Spring began to grow. With the growth, a new addition was added in 1928. Central Ward High School was demolished and a post office was built in its place at the corner of Scurry and 4th Street. Big Spring High School embarked on the apprenticeship training program (later called Vocational program) in 1935 and was one of the first to offer the half-day work program. During this time the high school added the auditorium and gymnasium.
BSHS 1952-65
Big Spring High School was finished and students moved to the new building on 11th Place in March of 1952. District wide enrollment was up to 4,793 in 1952. The school district area had grown from 25 square miles to 101 square miles. In the picture, notice the variation from present day Big Spring High School. The entrance was different and there was no band hall nor P.E. gyms north of the school.
BSHS Currently
Current view of BSHS December 2019.
Principals of BSHS
1885-1901 A.M. Steele
1901-1915 C.E. Thomas
1915-1917 W.A. Mancill
1917-1918 Norman St. Clair
1918-1920 E.H. Poteet
1920-1922 J.T. Reid
1922-1923 A.W. Flaniken
1923-1924 P.P. Brewster
1924-1926 Norman Spencer
1926-1928 T.F. Huggins
1928-1939 George Gentry
1939-1944 J.A. Coffey
1944-1951 Walter L. Reed
1951-1960 Roy D. Worley
1960-1980 John F. Smith
1980-1995 William A. McQueary
1985-1987 Murray Murphy
1987-2001 R. Kent Bowermon
2001-2007 Mike Ritchey
2007-2008 Bruce Wilson
2008-2016 Mike Ritchey
2016-2017 Erin White
2017-Present Mike Ritchey
Superintendents of BSHS
1882-1901 B. Reagan
1901-1907 S.E. Thompson
1907-1914 A.D. Ellis
1914-1915 S.E. Thompson
1915-1917 J.W. Dees
1917-1920 M.H. Brasher
1920-1923 A.W. Flaniken
1923-1928 P.B. Bittle
1928-1956 W.B. Blankenship
1956-1961 Floyd W. Parsons
1961-1974 Sam M. Anderson
1974-1977 Dr. Emmet McKenzie
1977-1987 Lynn C. Hise
1987-2001 William A. McQueary
2001-2003 Murray Murphy
2003-2008 Michael Downes
2008-2009 Mick Stevens (Interim)
2009-2013 Steven Saldivar
2013-2017 Chris Wigington
2017-2018 Johnny Tubbs (Interim)
2018-present Jay McWilliams