Welcome to the 1930s and 1940s at Metz Elementary! 

2101 Willow St in the 1930s

By the 1930s, two wings had been added to the Metz Elementary School building, which is pictured above. On the right, an updated diagram shows the school building on Willow Street in the 1930s, reflecting the addition of the new wings. The Metz community began the 1930s by mourning the death of first principal Clara Stubbs, who died in 1932.

Below, an excerpt from the Austin American (left) on Sunday, November 13, 1932, announces the death of Miss Clara Stubbs. Miss Stubbs was principal for 18 years and also taught in Austin schools for 20 years. Her funeral services were held on Monday, November 14 at the Church of Christ in Austin. Another excerpt from the Austin American (right) on Tuesday, November 15, 1932. The articles, titled “Hundreds Offer Tribute to Veteran Austin Teacher” and “Last Rites Held For Clara Stubbs,” describe the funeral celebrations for Miss Stubbs and the sadness felt by the Austin community after her passing.

Student Accomplishments and Activities in the 1930s-1940s

Throughout the decades, Metz students and community members were have always been busy with many activities, winning various awards along the way. Below, an article from the Austin American-Statesman (first image) on June 7, 1931, “Pupils Judged Most Worthy Citizens for Each Grade School” features students who were awarded “Sons of the American Revolution” medals by the Austin Rotary club. These students were recognized as “worthy school citizens.” Metz student Wilbur Dieterich, “son of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Dietrich,” was chosen for this award, and is featured standing in the photo (top left). 

On the right, an article from the late 40s tells the story of two Metz students who won a trip to Monterrey, Mexico by the Inter-American House in East Austin for being “good neighbors.” Bobby Whitaker (second image), 12, won “the best spirit of real friendship toward children of the Latin American race” and Joe Cano (left), 13, won “best spirit of real friendship toward Anglo American children. Metz teacher Winnie Murphy took the boys to Mexico in her station wagon, where they stayed at the Social Center in Monterrey. The group went on tours led by the Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Murphy had the opportunity to observe methods of teaching English to Spanish-speaking students.

Below, two articles from the 1940s highlight unique activities that happened at Metz. In the late 40s, 160 girls who were members of four local recreation clubs joined to play in the Metz gymnasium (shown on the left below). Mrs. Bob Frasier led the group in singing games and the “grand march.” Volunteer instructor, Mrs. H.A. Benny taught the group a square-dancing class. On the right, a 1949 article features Mrs. Johanna Lauper’s class and their activities with a “touch of Texas.” The photo shows Metz students Merle Moden, Cherry Strong, Carolyn Raines, and Anne Holt, dressed in ranching regalia. Mrs. Luper’s students painted the ranch background behind them in the photo!

Grandma Camacho

Lorraine Castro Camacho, “Grandma Camacho,” was consistently involved in the Metz community. Below, she is photographed as the queen of the Dies y Seis festivities in Taylor, Texas in the mid-1930s. Grandma Camacho returned to Austin with her husband in 1950.

Grandma Camacho’s brother, Toby Castro, also attended Metz in the 1920s. As shown by the photos below, he served in the army during the 1940s. On the left, Toby is photographed in his army uniform around roughly 1945-1950. In the middle, he is photographed while stationed in Europe in the mid-40s. On the right, Toby is photographed walking with Grandma Camacho and Mr. Camacho in San Antonio, Texas, where he was stationed for training.

The photos below provide further context surrounding Toby Castro’s service in the army. First, a postcard Toby Castro sent to his sister Lorraine (Grandma Camacho) in 1944, during his time in the army. He tells Lorraine he is “doing fine thanks to God” and will write more soon. In the middle, Two articles from the 1940s discuss Toby Castro’s service in the army. “Army Recruits 38 for Week” announces Toby and other recruits being sworn into the army the previous week. Toby Castro was home, in Austin, for 10 days on furlough in the 1940s. Toby is featured in uniform, and the text explains that he served with the Medical Battalion of the Army for five years, overseas for two. In the last image, another article from the 1940s titled “Second Division Makes Good In First Clash with Nazis,” which describes Toby’s army division’s activities in France.

To learn more about Grandma Camacho, her family, and their involvement with Metz, view the Lorraine Castro Camacho Family Scrapbook.

1949 - Former PTA Presidents

The PTA continued to be an essential piece of the Metz community throughout the 1930s and 1940s. This photo from 1949 features former PTA Presidents of Metz. Below, each individual’s name is listed with the years they served as PTA President.

Seated left to right:

G.B Barnhart, 1933-1934

George Potthoff, 1929-1930

Fred Wegerman, 1916-1920

Edna Hefner, 1927-1928

Marie Dryden, 1930-1931

Standing left to right:

Ed Voight, 1934-1935

Nolan Miller, 1935-36; 1942-44

Edna Hill, 1936-1938

Lia Holgood, 1948-1949

G.C. Partain, 1947-1948

C. Osbon, 1939-1940

Miss Marie Dell Barrow, 1921-1947

M. Deutsch, 1942-1952

M.A. Gueutzel, 1950-1952