December 14, 2021 – The Hardin County Emergency Service District #6 is the proud new owner of the property where John Henry Kirby Elementary once stood. Matt Dulaney, President of ESD #6 said they plan to build a new fire station on the property. During the board meeting Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Trustees who were present voted unanimously to sell the property to ESD #6.

Silsbee ISD Superintendent Dr. Gregg Weiss said they have been working on finalizing the sale with ESD #6 for about 2 months.

"As superintendent and on behalf of the Silsbee ISD Board of Trustees, we were excited to be able to negotiate the sale of the old Kirby property with the Hardin County Emergency Service District #6. We believe this to be a win-win for the school and community," said Dr. Gregg Weiss, Silsbee I.S.D. Superintendent.

The property consisted of 13.54 acres and sold for its appraised value of $869,000.

At the board meeting, Dulaney spoke about the benefits the new purchase will have on the Silsbee community.

“The location fits where a large percentage of emergency calls come in and come from,” said Matt Dulaney.

According to Dulaney, year to date, there have been 537 runs. Of those runs 147 were house fires, 294 medical calls, 64 hazardous calls and 31 fire alarm calls.

“We could not ask for a better location,” said Dulaney.

Dulaney said plans are already in the works to build a new fire station on the property. Architect Alliance in Beaumont has been approved to design the new fire station. The general contractor for the build is Mc Innis Construction in Silsbee.

Dulaney hopes the new station will be built by 2022 and once the new fire station is complete, they will sell the central station.

During the board meeting, Board Secretary Derrell Ferguson said this was an exciting move for the school and community.

"To be able to use this property to serve the greater community and improve the emergency services for Hardin County and the City of Silsbee was a determining factor," said Dr. Weiss.

Kirby Elementary opened in 1957. The board of trustees at that time included President E.M. Prewitt, Vice President A.W. Dainwood, Secretary Alf Fullingim, David Read, Newton Hopkins, Dr. George Tennison and Clifford R. Baker. The Superintendent was Don L. Hough, the architect for John Henry Kirby Elementary was George L. Ingram and the general contractor was Herman Weber, Inc.

Kirby Elementary closed its doors in 2018 after the new Silsbee Elementary school opened.

The ground where John Henry Kirby Elementary once stood will now hold new memories that will benefit the Silsbee community for years to come.