The new school principal, Hamilton Gordon McGowan (1876-1918), and wife, May Gilmore-McGowan (1879-1918) arrived in Ocean Springs, in late September. They found temporary quarters in the Dunn Cottage on Rayburn Avenue. In October, they will maintain their residence in the Dr. Ross A. Switzer home on Porter. The McGowans were from Shubuta near Quitman, Clarke County, Mississippi and had a small daughter, Mary Ellen McGowan. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 26, 1902, p. 3 and June 2, 1905, p. 3


In mid-January 1904, near the end of the first term, Alice Martin, Frances and Brownlee Hubble, and Katie Starks enrolled in class. Professor McGowan thanked those of the Ocean Springs who assisted with the art exhibit. Although not a financial success, McGowan felt the venue was important to the community. - The Progress, January 16, 1904, p. 4

Professor McGowan’s prophetic words applicable today:
"We would urge all parents having boys and girls in the advanced grades to make them do some homework in their studies. It keeps them employed and it tells in their daily grade work. Pupils who study regularly at home are always doing creditable work. The lack of interest of parents about the school work of their children is one of the greatest obstacles in our way in keeping boys and girls toward a higher life, morally and mentally." - The Progress, February 20, 1904, p. 1

Professor McGowan’s winter term class of 1903-1904, consisted of thirty-three pupils, twelve males and twenty-one females, ranging in age from seventeen to fourteen. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 14, 1905

School closed on May 27, 1904. The 7th through 9th grade classes gave a garden party, which was well attended. Mrs. McGowan will not teach next year. - The Progress, May 28, 1904, p. 4

Enrollment for 1904-1905 was 161 pupils. Professor McGowan changed the curriculum which proved of great interest to his students. - The Progress, October 1, 1904, p. 1

Faculty: Alva McGowan, Florence Morrow, and Ethel Gordon. Miss Alva McGowan (b. 1878) was the sister of Principal McGowan. In April 1905, she and H.G. McGowan went to Pascagoula to sit for the agriculture examination given by Superintendent D.D. Cowan. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 28, 1905, p. 3

Class of 1905 - Professor H.G. McGowan, Top Row, 4th from left

H.G. McGowan of Quitman was principal. The 1905-1906 school session commenced in mid-September 1905, with an enrollment of 120 students. Miss Alva McGowan returned from Quitman with her brother, Thomas Talmadge McGowan (b. 1888), who became a student in the high school this fall. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 22, 1905, p.3

Sister, Susie McGowan, of Quitman was here for visit in May 1906. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 11, 1906, p. 3

Faculty Alva McGowan, Florence Morrow, and Ethel Gordon. - The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 22, 1905, p.3

Professor Hamilton G. McGowan left Ocean Springs after the 1908-1909 school year for Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi where he was also the principal. In the summer of 1910, H.G. McGowan was appointed a professor in the agriculture and horticulture department at Mississippi A&M, now Mississippi State University, at Starkville, Mississippi. By 1918, the McGowans had relocated to Columbus, Mississippi where he made his livelihood as a farmer and operating a private business. - The Ocean Springs News, July 16, 1910

McGowan Oaks
At some time during his tenure of the Ocean Springs Public School, Professor McGowan planted eight oak trees on Dewey Avenue, which at the time was called Goos Avenue. The trees were a tribute to the first graduation class of the school and each student had a tree named in their honor. - The Ocean Springs Record, October 16, 1975, p. 9


Note: Other occupations were Principal at public school in Wilkinson Co MS town of Woodville; Professor of Agriculture & Horticulture at MS A&M; Farmer, business owner, fertilizer salesman.