Radhost School
Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Settlers of the community of Radhost, many of whom were immigrants from Czechoslovakia, funded the building of a school which opened in 1873. Beginning as a one-teacher school taught in the Bohemian language, it became a two-classroom English language school with the construction of a new building in 1930. Radhost School housed grades one through ten, and subjects included reading, writing, health, civics, history and drawing. Reflecting the importance of farming in Radhost, the school year began in the fall after crops were harvested. The school remained in use until 1955, when annexed by Hallettsville Independent School District. (2007)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The farming community of Radhost was settled largely by Czech immigrants, who funded a school that opened in 1873. It began as a one-teacher school taught in the Bohemian language and grew into a two-classroom English school with a new building in 1930. Serving grades one through ten, its calendar bent to the rhythms of farm life, beginning each year only after the crops were harvested, until it was annexed by the Hallettsville district in 1955.
Why it matters
Radhost School records how immigrant communities preserved their mother tongue while gradually assimilating into American life through the country schoolhouse.
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Themes & tags
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