Whalen Lake School
Frankel City, Andrews County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(2 miles S.) One of the first schools in Andrews County, opened in 1907 near the north edge of Whalen Lake, on land donated by Mrs. M. B. Dillard. The one-room school, built by Joe and Jake Mathis, with materials purchased by Will Gates, served the children of homesteaders "proving up" their claims by living on the property 3 years. Teachers were Miss Grace Stanford, a Mr. Taylor, Miss Mary Lewis, and Earl Lontz, each remaining one year. The school closed in 1910, and the building was moved, as most of the settlers fulfilled their claim agreements and left. (1974)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Two miles south of this spot, one of Andrews County's first schools opened in 1907 on land donated by Mrs. M. B. Dillard, near the edge of Whalen Lake. Built by Joe and Jake Mathis, the one-room school taught the children of homesteaders who were "proving up" their claims by living on the land for three years. It closed in 1910 and the building was moved once most settlers had fulfilled their claims and departed.
Why it matters
This short-lived schoolhouse marks the fleeting homesteading era on the West Texas plains, when families gambled three years of frontier life on securing a piece of land.
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Related people
- · M. B. Dillard
- · Joe Mathis
- · Jake Mathis
Themes & tags
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