Mary McAshan Gibbs Elementary

Our school was built in 1959 and was originally named Huntsville Elementary School.

 

 

 

Future Home of Gbbs Elementary - 1957

This is an aerial photograph of the Gibbs Elementary site before the school was built. This photograph was taken even before Highway I-45 was built. You can see the beginnings of highway construction in the top part of the picture. The land on which Gibbs Elementary was built, was bought by Huntsville School District from Mr. J. Philip Gibbs for the sum of $1.00.

 

  Young Mary McAshan Gibbs

    This is a picture of young Mary McAshan Gibbs.   In 1977, Huntsville Elementary School was renamed for Mary McAshan Gibbs. She was the wife of Dr. J. Philip Gibbs.

   Mrs. Mary McAshan Gibbs was born on December 1, 1885, in Houston. Her grandfather was Dr. H. H. Smith, a president of Sam Houston State University.  

 

 

Dr. J. Philip Gibbs

    In 1905, J. Philip Gibbs Sr. married Mary McAshan. 

 Mr. Gibbs was a medical doctor and a Captain during World War I.

 

Mary McAshan Gibbs  and Children

In 1920, J. Philip Gibbs returned to Huntsville with his wife Mary McAshan and their three children. This is a picture of Mary McAshan, her three children, and a cousin.

 

 

This old picture shows the Gibbs Brothers' Building. The Gibbs family began their business in Huntsville in 1841 and they are still in business today. Gibbs Brothers and Company has been awarded the title of the oldest business in Texas that is still owned by the original family and located in the original building site.

 

This is the Gibbs Brothers office.  The offices are still downtown on the square at Sam Houston Avenue and Eleventh Street. The Gibbs family has always been involved in helping the Huntsville community.

 

 

Huntsville Elementary School - 1970

Originally named Huntsville Elementary School when it was built. The building was renamed Mary McAshan Gibbs Elementary in 1977.

 

Gibbs Elementary underwent extensive remodeling during the 2001-2002 school years.  A new library, multi-purpose room, renovated bathrooms, new playground equipment and other improvements were made to the campus.