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The 1923 Mykawa
Elementary School
TE photos, August 2006 |
History in
a Rice Bowl
Shinpei Mykawa,
a naval officer traveling by train with a Japanese delegation in the
1890s, noticed the flat expanses of this part of Texas and how suitable
it would be for rice cultivation. He returned as a civilian and is
credited with introducing rice culture in this part of Texas. A post
office was in operation in Mykawa from 1907 to 1933. By 1914 the town
had a population of 200, but this dropped to only 20 by the mid-1920s.
Oil was discovered nearby, but was hardly noticed with all the activity
in other parts of Harris
County. The railroad still has a siding marker Mykawa and the
long road North to East Houston has a huge police detention center
- which is the most common association with the name Mykawa.
The former one-story brick elementary school is now in use as the
Minnitex Civic Center.
Shinpei Mykawa was buried in Houston's
Hollywood Cemetery (where I-45 meets North Main Street). |
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Mr. Mykawa's
Grave in Houston's Hollywood Cemetery
TE Photo, September 2003 |
Japanese inscription
on Mr. Mykawa's grave.
TE Photo, September 2003 |
The 1923 Mykawa
School
TE photos, August 2006
More Texas Schoolhouses |
The Mykawa School
Cornerstone
TE photo, August 2006
More Texas cornerstones |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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