In the 1950's, the population of Silsbee doubled thanks to the growth in the local oil industry and the completion of the new Kirby Lumber Company plant in 1955.  To meet the needs of this demographic and economic boom, Silsbee ISD began construction on two new elementary schools.  John Henry Kirby Elementary officially opened in September of 1958 under the leadership of Principal Weeks Crawford and Superintendent Don L. Hough.  The campus continued to nurture the skills and talents of the children of Silsbee until 2016 when the new Silsbee Elementary was completed.

Through a special process, bricks from the school have been preserved as knife handles to build the John Henry Kirby Elementary Trapper.

This Case Trapper(#9254johnhenryk) features John Henry Kirby Elementary brick handles.  The Tru-sharp surgical steel Clip and Spey blades are laser engraved, commemorating John Henry Kirby Elementary.