Brewer High School has a long and rich history that not many people know about. It has faced many changes, challenges, and catastrophes and has seen many traditions foster and die out throughout its 73 year lifetime.
In the year 1952, the high school campus, which is now the middle school, was opened under the name C.F. Brewer. While this is the first school to be named Brewer, there was an even older school constructed back in 1888.
“C.F. Brewer was built in 1952, but the original school was built in 1888,” Ms. Belisle said. “Prior to 1952, the school was called White Settlement School and offered classes up to 8th grade. At that time, kids would finish secondary at a Fort Worth campus.”
There are also many interesting traditions we used to have, such as a competition with another school to see who got to keep an unusual trophy.
“There was an old tradition called the ‘Cow Bell’ between us and Castleberry,”
Superintendent Frank Molinar said. “Each year the two schools’ teams would play and the winner got to keep the silver cow bell until they played again the following year.”
During its history, the high school received many location changes, additions to the campus and different classes. Even the other campuses were improved upon through relocations and bonds. “In 1998, Tannahill Intermediate School opened and the 5th graders were pulled from the elementary schools and the 6th graders were pulled from BMS,” Ms. Belisle said. “North Elementary opened a new campus in 2013, and the old campus served as multiple facilities such as RISE and DAEP. The old BHS used to offer autobody and woodshop and it was reopened in 2017 after it had been closed for 13 years, but it transitioned into the pipe fitting program we have now.”
Brewer has also had its fair share of crises and tragedies. From all the way back during World War II to the pandemic of 2020, our school has seen its fair share of hardships.
“In 1943, enrollment had doubled because of Lockheed,” Ms. Belisle said. “In 1999, there was a shooting at Wedgewood Church during a Disciple Now event where one student was killed and one was paralyzed. Over the years, we have had isolated events where students made poor choices but we have an amazing safety and security team.”
Brewer is also rich in long-lasting relationships and rivalries with other schools. One particular feud with Azle High School has stood the test of time, lasting from the 80s to present day.
“Azle has always been our “old town’ rival,” Ms. Belisle said. “In the 80s, students from Azle broke into the stadium and burned an A on the field. Brewer went to Azle and painted their baseball dugout. In 2004, they led the buses into a part of the parking lot that we could not get out of, and the buses were forced to do skilled reverse driving. They have also been known to turn the sprinklers on in the middle of the game.”
It's always important to know history whether it’s your own, your organization’s or even your country’s. History can teach you how to avoid past mistakes, succeed in your own endeavors and navigate relationships with other people.
Cyrus Frances Brewer’s message to the first graduating class in the yearbook of 1953. Photo courtesy of Casey Harrell.
Signatures from BHS’s first graduating class in 1953. Photo courtesy of Casey Harrell.