School History

  • The James Berry Farm Marker located at 13401 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77039 “James Berry was born near Mays Lick, Mason County, Kentucky July 15, 1809, the last of ten children. He immigrated to Texas to join the Texas Army, arriving March 12, 1836. On December 8, 1836, General Sam Houston, First President of The Republic of Texas. Commissioned him a first lieutenant of company I, first regiment of infantry where he served until 1838.

    He was one of the first settlers of Harris County. He served as Justice of the Peace (1840-1853), Treasurer of Harris County (1854-1857), Civilian Director for the County during the Civil War (1861-1865) and as one of the County School Commissioners.

    His first wife Martha Staples died in 1843 after bearing him two children, Joseph and Miles Frank, both of whom were to serve in the Confederate Army. He purchased a farm on Greens Bayou in 1846 from Clark and Elizabeth Beach. Mr. Beach died unexpectedly shortly thereafter. Mrs. Beach then became his second wife until her death in 1863, and her burial was the first in the family cemetery. Mary A. Cochran McDonell, a widow, became his third wife in 1866 and of this union were born James, Martha, Gertrude, and Frank Lee.

    On December 2, 1876 on his return trip from Houston to the James Berry Farm his wagon hit a tree stump. He was thrown from the wagon and died of his injuries. He was buried by holland lodge No. 1 in the family cemetery nearby, with a small marker inscribed ‘Death is certain, the hour unseen.’ In 1909 his children James and Frank Lee gave property on Berry Road as the site for the New Berry School built as a memorial to their father.

    The Berry Farm was sold in 1934 to Ira Brooks who developed Brookside Memorial Park around the old Berry Family Cemetery.”*

    The New Berry School opened in 1910 (1st Building). The campus moved to its present location 2310 Berry Road in 1950 (2nd Building). For the 2011-2012 school year Berry Elementary opened a new LEED Certified building (3rd Building).

    *Source The James Berry Farm Marker located at 13401 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77039