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 Sutherland Springs School Site
N 29° 16.492 W 098° 03.269
14R E 591851 N 3238809
The Sutherland Springs school began in 1850 and remained active through 1948 when consolidated with a larger near by school system. The property sold in 1953.
Waymark Code: WM18T2C
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/21/2023
Views: 5
This Texas historical marker about Sutherland Springs School Site is found facing 2nd Street. 2nd street forms a junction with FM 539. At that junction, turn off of FM 539 and onto 2nd Street. Drive on 2nd Street about 200 feet and you should be at or near the marker. Carefully pull over onto the grassy shoulder of the road to park your car to take photos and read the sign's information. 2nd Street also forms a junction at its other end with Water Street. If using Water Street, turn onto 2nd Street and drive about 800 feet to arrive at this historical marker. Link to The Historical Marker Database about this marker: ( visit link) Link to The Texas State Historical Association article about Sutherland Springs, TX: ( visit link)
Marker Number: 17933
Marker Text:
The Sutherland Springs Community was founded by Dr. John Sutherland and Joseph H. Polley in the 1850s. Both men were concerned with the need for a school in Sutherland Springs where social institutions had not yet developed. Early schools were built by churches, citizens or organizations. Public education funds were not adequately distributed and educational efforts in Texas remained sporadic through the close of the nineteenth century.
In 1857, Dr. Sutherland built a rock building on the Cibolo used as a private academy. In 1871, J.B. Polley deeded to the school trustees of Cibolo Hall and female academy all his right, title and interest in lot #3 block #59. By 1877, the male and female academy opened in the rock schoolhouse. In 1910, a bond election was voted on and adopted to construct a new school. The next year, lot #4 was purchased. In 1934, citizens of district nine voted to incorporate for free school purposes under the name Sutherland Springs Independent School District. A new school was built in 1936 and a gymnasium was added in 1938.
On the eve of Christmas holidays, December 19, 1947, fire completely destroyed the school building. After the fire, students finished the school year at the Baptist Church. A two-room building was erected for grades one through six. The district consolidated with Floresville in 1948 and the property was sold in 1953. However, the spirit of small, rural schools lives on through the community and memory.
Marker is property of the State of Texas (2014)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a picture in your log. You and your GPS receiver do not need to be in the picture. We encourage additional information about your visit (comments about the surrounding area, how you ended up near the marker, etc.) in the log.
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