Footprints of Fayette

A Historical Column From The Fayette County Historical Commission

The Willow Springs school building on the left was one of those early rural schools that had been built by November 1875. The 1870s teacherage, which still stands as a private residence, is in the background of this mid 1890s photo. The “new” school building is on the right. Photo Courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum & Archives
The Willow Springs school building on the left was one of those early rural schools that had been built by November 1875. The 1870s teacherage, which still stands as a private residence, is in the background of this mid 1890s photo. The “new” school building is on the right. Photo Courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum & Archives

When Fayette Had the Most Schools in Texas

By Larry Jackson

Fayette County has a long history of making education a priority for its children. Just as public schools are a political controversy today, so they were 150 years ago. But that didn’t stop Fayette County from establishing and supporting them.

As Texas emerged from the Civil War’s devastation, education was seen as a way up. The Reconstruct…