Old Rowena School Building -- Rowena TX
N 31° 38.933 W 100° 02.743
14R E 400849 N 3501992
A handsome former school building for the unincorporated town of Rowena off the US 67 in Runnels County
Waymark Code: WMV1RK
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 02/09/2017
Views: 4
It's a shame no one has figured out a new use for this old school building in Rowena. Although vacant for many decades, its still handsome and looks to be very solidly built of brick.
The Rowena school probably closed in the 1950s/60s, when several small town schools were combined in this rural area of West Texas.
From the Texas Escapes website: www.texasescapes.com/TexasTowns/RowenaTexas/RowenaTexas.htm
"History in a Pecan Shell
In 1888 a railroad section house was named Rowena Station after a woman who was either the paramour of Jonathan Miles (namesake of Miles, Texas) or the wife of the railway's clerk. Postal authorities felt the spelling was too close to Ravenna in Fannin County, so they wouldn't grant a post office under that name.
The town was platted in 1898 and named Baronsville after developer Paul J. Baron. In 1900, the town was briefly renamed after a land agent named John Bolf.
Postal authorities changed their mind in 1901 and the post office was named Rowena. Paul Baron allowed the name to become official in 1904.
Rowena was settled principally by German and Czech Texans - many from Fayette County, Texas. Even today townspeople in Fayetteville (Fayette County) have relatives in Rowena.
In 1904 the population was fewer than 100, but it swelled to nearly 600 by 1908. By 1930 it had reached a zenith of 800 Rowenans.
Rowena was the birthplace of Bonnie Parker, and was the scene of a bank robbery that made national headlines in 1968 when Doc Newton decided to make one last try at bank robbery.
COMMENT
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School in Rowena Texas
I wanted to share a little information about Rowena, Texas that I have aquired over my 24 years of life. I lived in Rowena for the first 18 years of my life and my mother was born and raised in Rowena. She was born in 1949 and attended the school of which you have posted a picture. So the info about the school closing in late 40's is not correct. To my mother's memory it was mid 60's when the school closed. I would love to share as much info. about this fantastic town, just let me know what you want to know about this town. Thanks - Sonia, March 25, 2006"
Address:
School St at Victor St
Rowena, TX
Web Site: [Web Link]
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