Historical Marker

Rocky School

Historical marker location:
FM 957, Moravia, Texas
( 3 miles east of CR 229 and FM 975 in Moravia)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

ROCKY SCHOOL

WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF GERMAN AND CZECH IMMIGRANTS SETTLING IN LAVACA COUNTY NEAR THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY, LAVACA COUNTY RESPONDED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RURAL SCHOOLS. THE AREA WHICH IS NOW THE MORAVIA COMMUNITY IN NORTHWEST LAVACA COUNTY WAS SETTLED BY CZECH IMMIGRANTS IN THE 1870s. BY THE LATE 1880s, ANOTHER SCHOOL WAS NEEDED IN THIS AREA BECAUSE MANY STUDENTS HAD TO WALK OVER FOUR MILES TO SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO A FORMER TEACHER, AN OLD ROCK HOUSE WAS USED AS A SCHOOL UNTIL AROUND 1913. THAT YEAR, CZECH IMMIGRANT JOSEPH PARGAC ESTABLISHED A GIN ON ROCKY CREEK AND DONATED A PORTION OF THE LAND FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES. A SCHOOL WAS ERECTED IN 1914. A WELL WAS DUG BY 1927 TO ACCOMMODATE THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY. THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL ALSO HAD A SMALL STAGE FOR THE TEACHER’S DESK THAT WAS USED FOR PLAYS AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMS. A FORMER STUDENT RECALLED EATING SACK LUNCHES OUTSIDE ON THE WOOD PILE.

IN THE THIRTY-FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF THE ROCKY SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL HAD AN AVERAGE OF 38 STUDENTS. STUDENTS ATTENDED FIRST THROUGH SEVENTH GRADES AND WERE MOSTLY FIRST-GENERATION CZECH IMMIGRANTS. MANY OF THE TEACHERS WERE ALSO OF CZECH DESCENT AND SOME RECEIVED THEIR TEACHER’S CERTIFICATION IN LAVACA COUNTY. IN THE BEGINNING, CLASSES WERE TAUGHT IN THE CZECH LANGUAGE. HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS AND AS THE STUDENTS BECAME AMERICAN CITIZENS, THE SCHOOL CONDUCTED CLASSES IN ENGLISH. THE ROCKY SCHOOL OPERATED UNTIL 1949 WHEN IT WAS CONSOLIDATED WITH THE HALLETTSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, CITING LOW ATTENDANCE AS THE PRIMARY REASON.

(2012)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

education
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Texas random facts
Lavaca County, located in southeast Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its settlement in the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa people, who thrived off the land's natural resources. European settlement began in the 1820s, following the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists.

In 1846, Lavaca County was officially established by the Texas state legislature and was named after the Lavaca River, which runs through the area. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Many plantations were established, and slavery played a significant role in the local economy, impacting the social and cultural dynamics of the region.

During the Civil War, Lavaca County supported the Confederacy, with many of its residents volunteering for military service. The county experienced the effects of the war firsthand, including economic hardships and infrastructure damage. In the post-war years, the cotton industry faced several challenges, including the boll weevil infestation and the Great Depression, which led to a decline in agricultural dominance.

In the 20th century, Lavaca County transitioned into a more diversified economy, with the growth of oil and gas exploration. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought prosperity to the region, attracting new residents and businesses. Today, Lavaca County continues to be primarily rural with a strong agricultural heritage, while also benefiting from the contributions of the energy industry. The county's deep-rooted history and ongoing development make it a unique and historically significant part of Texas.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Lavaca County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Lavaca County is established by the Texas legislature, carved out of parts of neighboring counties.
  • 1849 - The first county seat is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1852 - The oldest known courthouse in Lavaca County is built in Hallettsville.
  • 1856 - The county's first newspaper, the Lavaca Democrat, is founded.
  • 1861-1865 - Lavaca County residents support the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1867 - St. Peter's Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously active Lutheran congregation in Texas, is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1873 - The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway extends its tracks into Lavaca County.
  • 1881 - A new courthouse is constructed in Hallettsville to replace the original courthouse.
  • 1922 - The area around Lavaca County experiences a significant oil boom, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1936 - The current Lavaca County Courthouse, a Classical Revival-style building, is completed in Hallettsville.
  • 1942-1945 - Many Lavaca County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1997 - The Lavaca County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - Lavaca County celebrates its 150th anniversary since its establishment.
  • 2018 - Lavaca County continues to be a predominantly rural area with a strong agricultural industry.