Site of Stamps School
Diana, Upshur County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Established Oct. 24, 1906, and named for settler William O. ("Uncle Billy") Stamps, who gave land and materials for building. Community children, including Stamps' six sons, attended the school. Building also served as church and lodge hall. At behest of W. O. Stamps, music teacher Roe M. Morgan was hired to operate a singing school here. Through his inspiration, two of Stamps' sons, Virgil (1892-1940) and Frank (1896-1965), became gospel singers and founded large music publishing company and school. Present school consolidated with New Diana on March 3, 1934. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Established in 1906 on land given by settler William "Uncle Billy" Stamps, this Upshur County school doubled as church and lodge hall for its community. When Stamps brought in music teacher Roe M. Morgan to run a singing school, he lit a spark: two of Stamps' sons, Virgil and Frank, went on to found a major gospel-music publishing company and school. The schoolhouse consolidated with New Diana in 1934.
Why it matters
A humble country schoolhouse became the seedbed of the Stamps gospel-singing empire, a cornerstone of American shape-note and Southern gospel music.
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Related people
- · William O. Stamps
- · Virgil Stamps
- · Frank Stamps
- · Roe M. Morgan
Themes & tags
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