Witting School
Historical marker location:In the 1870s to 1880s a considerable number of German-speaking immigrants migrated to northwestern Lavaca county. One of them was George Witting, who was a wealthy commission merchant originally from Columbus, Texas. Witting became a large landowner in the area and in September 1880 he donated an acre of land to Peter Pundt, Gerhard Boening and Fritz Gehrels as trustees of the German-English non-sectarian school association for the purpose of building a school.
That year a single-room wood frame building measuring 20 x 40 feet with a small storeroom in the back was constructed at a cost of $540 and named after witting. By 1890, enrollment had ballooned and forced the district to drill a water well and to erect a new three-room schoolhouse with a long porch, a windmill and a cistern house. Before 1919, the witting school was maintained entirely upon tuition which was $2.00 per student per term.
The Witting Schoolhouse served the little community as a place for public meetings, gatherings and some social events. The local Evangelical Lutheran Congregation also used it for more than 40 years as its temporary church for Sunday services and bible study groups. The Lavaca County School Board closed the Witting School and consolidated it with two other schools in 1969. Witting School was one of the oldest rural schools in Lavaca County and one of the last to close. With its sale, the long, proud history of the Witting School came to a close and ended 89 years of service as a focal point of rural education in northwestern Lavaca County
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.
The discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.