Multiple historic structures were uncovered during the Bond 2020 construction project on the Fox Tech High School campus. Remnants of a former mayor’s home, an 1800s limestone house, and the San Pedro Acequia system were discovered during an archaeological study done in 2025.
The SAISD Capital Development and Construction Services department has created a short documentary to honor these discoveries which is available above. Additionally, an honorary plaque will be placed on the Fox Tech campus once the project is complete.
Fox Tech High School was established as the first high school in San Antonio around 1880 as Central Grammar and High School. In addition to the high school, the campus also hosts the Advanced Learning Academy and CAST Tech High School. Due to its location in downtown San Antonio, city surveyors needed to review the campus to ensure construction teams are within their means for digging, drilling, and more. The archeological study completed by Pape Dawson discovered that there were culturally sensitive areas within project boundaries which prompted their team and Barlett Cocke, the construction contractor, to start excavating to explore these discoveries.
Through these methods multiple structures were uncovered. Remnants of the Newton House, the former home of Colonel Samuel Galitzin Newton was uncovered in the south parking lot. Colonel Samuel Galitzin Newton (1823-1874) was a lawyer who served as an officer in the Civil War before being mayor.
The San Pedro acequia (a-say-kia) system, also known as the Acequia Principio was found in front of Cast Tech portion of the campus. This system was the irrigation canals that brought water from springs to farms, homes, and mills all the way back in the 1700s. Additionally, a residential home made of limestone was discovered in the Cast Tech courtyard.
Fox Tech is receiving renovations as apart of SAISD’s Bond 2020 program, two propositions passed in the November 2020 election aimed to help the district with building and technology maintenance. Fox Tech’s planned scope includes a new performing arts building, new black box theater, and renovations to the competition and secondary gyms. Targeted completion period is Summer 2027.
For more information on Fox Tech and other Bond 2020 projects, please visit our Renovation Projects Information page.