School History
Originally opened as School #11 on Buena Vista Street in September 1894. In its early years it was often referred to as the Prospect Hill School. In May 1902 it was named to honor one of the defenders of the Alamo. In 1973 Crockett moved to its present site, the former Irving Junior High School campus.
What Happened to the Original Campus
In 1975 the West Commerce Street campus was sold to the Mexican American Unity Council for $150,000.
The building was redesigned in 1978, earning architects Larry O'Neil and Andrew Perez the "Excellence in Architecture" award from the American Institute of Architects. In addition to the Mexican American Unity Council, the former Crockett building also houses the Bazaan Library.
David "Davy" Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was a 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served in the Texas Revolution.
Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. After being made a colonel in the militia of Lawrence County, Tennessee, he was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821. In 1825, Crockett was elected to the U.S. Congress, where he vehemently opposed many of the policies of President Andrew Jackson, most notably the Indian Removal Act. Crockett's opposition to Jackson's policies led to his defeat in the 1831 elections. He won again in 1833, then narrowly lost in 1835, prompting his angry departure to Texas (then the Mexican state of Tejas) shortly thereafter. In early 1836, Crockett took part in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo in March.
Crockett became famous in his own lifetime for larger-than-life exploits popularized by stage plays and almanacs. After his death, he continued to be credited with acts of mythical proportion. These led in the 20th century to television and movie portrayals, and he became one of the best-known American folk heroes.