Watson opened in 1967, and additions to the building were completed in 1975, 1978 and 1979. Originally a part of the Pulaski County Special School District, it was annexed by the Little Rock School District in 1987. The school is named in honor of John L. Watson, a well-known administrator in the Pulaski County Special School District.

The original building had 24 classrooms. Watson was considered very modern when it opened because it was one of the first schools in Arkansas to have central air conditioning. Students at Watson Elementary made history in the Little Rock School District by being the first students to wear uniforms to school.

In August 2007 Chicot and Watson elementary schools combined their attendance zones, and Watson became an intermediate school for students in grades 3 through 5.

Sources:
LRSD archives.

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