Illinois Bend School - Illinois Bend, TX
N 33° 52.804 W 097° 29.170
14S E 640002 N 3749889
The Illinois Bend school building served Illinois Bend until the 1940s, when its days as a school and church were numbered. It has since been restored, serving the area as a community center.
Waymark Code: WMPT7A
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/16/2015
Views: 1
A Texas Historical Marker here provides some background:
Located in the bend of the Red River in northeast Montague County, Illinois Bend received an official title in 1877. By the 1890's, Illinois Bend was a thriving community where cotton farming swelled the population. Many churches and schools were conducted in private homes prior to 1845 when the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas set aside provisions to aid local lodges in erecting educational buildings. In January 1893, a Masonic building for fraternal, educational and spiritual purposes was erected here. During the week, the lower level was used as a one room school and a church on Sundays. The original name of the school district was Valley Branch School District No. 14 due to the location near the branch which feeds into the Red River. Over time, it became known as Illinois Bend School District No. 14.
All age levels were taught in the same room and the first teacher was W.O. Edwards. There was no electricity or plumbing in the school until 1945 so outhouses were erected behind the building. The lower portion of the building was also the social center of the community, hosting reunions, wedding receptions and other group activities. With the onset of WWII, the school closed in 1944. Church services in the lower level ceased in the 1920s with the establishment of local churches. In 1968, the building was no longer used on a regular basis; however, an Illinois Bend Community Homecoming was held each fall and continues today. The building was refurbished by the Illinois Bend Community Club in 1987 and is a remnant of the community partnerships formed with the help of the Masonic Lodge.
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Chapter Ten of the Images of America entry, "Bowie and Montague County," is devoted to the bygone communities of Montague County. There are several photos taken when Illinois Bend was considerably more vibrant, one from 1907 featuring a group of young ladies standing in front of the school for a class picture, along with their teacher. Another shows the Illinois Bend Camp of the Woodmen of the World, who were one of the fraternal organizations who met here in the schoolhouse. They also mention Masonic Lodge #665.
The provided URL gives some background on both Illinois Bend and its historic cemetery, located just northwest of the community center. There is definitely activity here, as there are newer facilities for the "Cowboys" and "Cowgirls," and the barbecue pit outside always seemed to have some burned logs near it.
Address:
Spur 677 off of FM 677
Illinois Bend, TX USA
76265
Web Site: [Web Link]
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