Old Pakan School
Lela, Wheeler County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Named for Sam Pakan, Sr., (1875-1929), Slovak emigrant. Success in Chicago enabled him to buy land here, 1904. Ten other Slovak families joined him and pooled funds to build first school, 1907. Some old settlers remaining include Linkeys, Mertels, Pakans, Macinas, Hrnciars, Smiths and Cadras. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The school took its name from Sam Pakan, Sr., a Slovak immigrant whose success in Chicago let him buy land here in 1904. Ten other Slovak families soon joined him, and together they pooled their money to build their first school in 1907. Family names like Linkey, Mertel, Macina, and Hrnciar still recall that founding community.
Why it matters
It records how immigrant families on the Texas Panhandle made a schoolhouse their first shared institution, planting Old World roots in new prairie soil.
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Related people
- · Sam Pakan, Sr.
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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