Our History
History of Excelsior, Henderson Colored High And Hill High School
Henderson, Texas
Beginning with the year 1901 the following principals have taught, and as a result the school grew considerably. The first Negro school was a one-story frame building located on Jenkins Lane where the late Bonnie Hurd home stands. Mr. J.L. Ford, Rev. A. W. Pryor served as principals from 1901 – 1920. In 1911, the Negro school was moved across town to Mizner Hill on a tract of land belonging to the heirs of General Webster Flanagan. A two-story frame building was constructed. Mr. J.L. Ford and Mr. W.H. McCane served as principals. The school at this time was names Excelsior High School and offered classes through the eleventh grade.
In 1935, a PWA Grant for $9,000.00 was secured to help build the high school for the Negroes on the present location, Methodist Hill. This tract of land was secured from a fine outstanding Negro merchant, Mr. Biggers. When the separate high school building was constructed in 1935, the high school became as affiliated school. The was the first affiliated Negro high school in Rusk County. The school was named Henderson Colored High School.
In 1941, Mr. E.E. Hill, an Excelsior High Alumnus became principal and Mr. Earl Adams was superintendent. When the second world war started in the 1940s, Mr. Hill went to serve his country an din his absence Mr. W.M. Drennan served as principal.
After the war Mr. Hill returned and was offered his job back. In the early fifties, the building was enlarged and modernized. The Student Council decided the school should no longer be called Henderson Colored High School and the school was renamed Hill High School in honor of Mr. E. E. Hill. Desegregation of schools in Henderson began in September of 1965 and was fully achieved in the spring of 1970.
Principal Hill
Mr. Elmer Everett Hill was born August 20, 1906 in Rusk County, Texas. He was the fourth of twelve boys born to Alphous and Catherine Morrison Hill. He was a lifetime member of Lone Star Baptist Church where he served in many capacities.
Elmer’s education derived from the following institutions: the Lone Star public schools, Excelsior High School, which later was named Henderson Colored High, received a Bachelor Degree from Sam Houston in 1931; received a Master Degree from Prairie View A&M in 1933. He continued his education at Butler College, Tuskegee Institute and Houston Tillison.
Elmer became principal in 1941 where he served until 1970. During that time he was drafted into the United States Navy. He served his country with honor and dignity from 1943 to 1945. He was a cook and a gunner aboard the U.S.S. Saginaw C.V.E.-82 battleship. After his tour of duty, he was Honorably Discharged as a Stewards Mate First Class, World War II veteran.
After serving his country, Hill was able to resume his position as principal at his old alma mater. He was so loved by the student body that in 1965, the school was named Hill High in his honor. Elmer was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Post #844 where he served faithfully in many capacities. He was instrumental in designing and building the American Legion Hall which many are still enjoying today.
On September 16, 2015, Elmer Everett Hill was called home to rest from his labor. He was 109 years old.
