Site of Beasley School
Historical marker location:School-age children in this part of Lavaca County first attended the Broom Weed school on South Mustang Creek as early as 1885. Mary Singer taught all the children in a single classroom. In 1890 the crude frame schoolhouse was deemed inadequate, and Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Beasley opened the second floor of their home for classes. That same year the Beasleys donated an acre of land for a new one-room school building.
Mary Boone was the first teacher in the new school, renamed Beasley for the property donors. In 1910 a two-room schoolhouse was built on two acres purchased from G. C. Thompson. Additional improvements to the property were made in 1921-1923, when a teacherage, a water well and a windmill were constructed.
In its early years, Beasley students attended school only five months out of the year. As this was a rural farming area, the school year was often determined by the growing season, when students needed to help at home with the planting, tending and harvest. Over the years, the school year expanded to eight months and then nine months.
Until it was closed in 1951 and annexed to the Shiner school district, Beasley School was a center of community activities. Although the buildings associated with the school no longer stand, Beasley School remains an important part of the history of this part of Lavaca County. (2001)
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.
Texas is a great state full of huge opportunities
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.
Lavaca County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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.