Graves grow to 93 at FBISD site

The number of graves discovered at a Fort Bend ISD construction site continues to grow, potentially affirming the views of a community activist who had warned district officials that the site could hold bodies of those who were part of a 19th century convict leasing system.

The district has now identified 93 graves at the site of the future James Reese Career and Technical Center, which is being built at University Boulevard and Chatham. The center is named after James Reese, a former FBISD math teacher and its first vocational director.

The activist, Reginald Moore, said he has only been allowed to tour the construction site on one occasion since the graves were discovered. After telling district officials about the area’s history, FBISD Superintendent Charles Dupre alerted Moore to the discovery of the graves.

Jay Jenkins of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has assisted Moore, guardian of the nearby Old Imperial Farm Cemetery, in seeking to have the district set aside a few acres for a future memorial to educate others about the convict lease system, where prisoners were contracted out for labor shortly after slavery was outlawed more than 150 years ago.

“Reggie’s contention throughout has been that these folks, these human beings deserve to be recognized because the city of Sugar Land benefited from their work and labor,” said Jenkins.