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History of MacGregor

Did you know that MacGregor was not always MacGregor?

MacGregor was originally named Southmore. It opened in 1922 and was named for the Southmore District. The first principal was Ms. Lucile Gregg. In 1930, Southmore was renamed by the Board of Trustee of HISD to Henry F. MacGregor. "Miss Lucie" -as she was affectionately known- was honored in the renaming for the school library. It was dedicated to"Miss Lucie" for her love of reading and her service in HISD.

Henry F. MacGregor was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire in 1855. He moved to Texas in 1873 and worked with the Houston Navigation Company. Later, he became general manager of the Houston System Railway. By 1885, he was director of the South Texas Commercial National Bank and the State Oil company. From 1894 to 1896, he was chairman of the State Republican Executive Committee. In 1912, he became the Texas member of the Republican National Committee, a trustee of the Herman Hospital, a director of the Houston Y.W.C.A., and vice-president of the Home Market Club. He died in 1923 and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Houston. Although he was not a native Houstonian, Henry F. MacGregor has been remembered for his outstanding contribution to this city.

The school has survived flooding, fire, and renovations. With the inception of Magnet Schools in 1975, MacGregor Elementary became and remains one of the finest elementary schools in the city, offering intensified instruction in music, science, and technology. How ironic that a request for piano in 1922 was denied and now music fills the air...piano, stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass, and percussions.

Today, we are glad to see the same love for children continued with our principal, Dr. Patricia Allen.