Junior Historians of Texas
Wharton High School Chapter 399
Postcard of Houston Street in Wharton, approx 1909 (l), Google Street view of Houston Street in Wharton, today. (r)
Founded in 1939 by Walter P. Webb
The Junior Historians is an extracurricular program sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association that allows students to explore and research historical topics that are relevant to their interests.
Wharton High School Chapter 399 received its charter in 1975 but was dormant until the Spring semester of 2023 when revived by a dedicated group of history and geography students in my classes.
Future projects are in the works, but we are working towards publishing an oral history family cookbook as well as producing fun school spirit fundraisers to pay for our group activities.
Recent Events
Enjoy the images in the carousel to the left. They will be updated as we host new activities for the Junior Historians.
Check back often-- these are an active group of students!
Rebirth of a Chapter
When submitting our chapter paperwork to the Texas State Historical Association, I was informed that we were reviving a chapter established in 1975. Through some yearbook sleuthing, I found the only year the Junior Historians of Wharton High School were mentioned was in the 1976 yearbook. The club was also featured in a school newspaper article in the fall of 1975. As far as I know, the club went silent the next year and remained dormant until August 2023.
1975-76 Junior Historians
Original members of the Maxine Harrison Chapter of Junior Historians. They were organized in 1975 to "stimulate interest in local history and to preserve historical landmarks in Wharton County."
"History is Saved Forever"
The Tiger Tales school newspaper article accompanying the creation of the original Wharton High School Junior Historians. Maxine Harrison, for whom the chapter was named, was a well-loved history teacher at Wharton Junior High School.