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| CHERRY SPRING SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTER |
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A brief history of Cherry Spring School: Built in 1885. Pavilion built in 1935. Consolidated in 1972. The pavilion typically had a stage area for school plays with a "school curtain", providing the backdrop scene. Students painted the landscape scenes on canvas for the annual school play. Like a frame, the names of local merchants were placed around the edge. The curtain was rolled up for most of the year and hung above the stage. There are still 6 original curtains and several of the merchants listed are still in business today. Current activities: The Cherry Spring Community Club now regularly uses the schoolhouse and pavilion for their meetings. They meet monthly on the second Friday evening to play "42" dominoes and the fourth Friday evening to play pinochle cards. On the second Saturday in September, club members, families, and friends also hold a BBQ picnic or potluck picnic. Club Officers:
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| The History of Cherry Spring School | |||||||||||||||
Classes for the children of German immigrants in the Cherry Spring community were held in homes until 1885. At that time, a 31' x 23' schoolhouse
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was built, using locally-quarried limestone on land donated by H. Bratherich. On dedication day, students marched in a parade from the homes. where classes had been held, to the new building. Cherry Spring, District #16, added a large pavilion in 1936 despite the Great Depression. The stage area had moveable walls, which allowed it to be used as a second classroom. Grades one through five met in the "Little Room" on the stage, while grades six through nine met in the original rock building, or "Big Room".
In the early days, students walked, rode bicycles, or came by horseback. Saddles were stored in the "saddle shed", where the horses were tied. They would stand there until school was dismissed. One student in the 1920's even rode a donkey. Like clockwork at 11:45 am almost every morning, the donkey would bray, dismissing everyone for lunch.
Other notes of interest are the student enrollment and the teacher's salaries. In 1903, with a student enrollment of 41, the teacher's salary was $35. With 53 students in 1910, the teacher made $50. In 1920, the teacher's salary was $82.50 and 48 students attended. Until the 1950's, teachers would often board with residents of the community.
Each May, school closing celebrations were anticipated by the entire community. While visiting with neighbors and other acquaintances, attendees were entertained with oompah music, plays, and baseball games. Hundreds of pounds of barbecue were prepared on the large open pit to feed the crowds.
The Cherry Spring School served the community residents until 1962, when it was consolidated with Fredericksburg ISD. During the 76 years school was held at Cherry Spring, almost 400 students and 42 teachers passed through the doors. Today, the school is a landmark of early education in Gillespie County. On May 11, 1990, a state historical marker was placed on the rock school building.OPEN HOUSE To make arrangements for your special group tour or special event, call #14 on the driving map GPS: 30.447194,-98.954201
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The Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools, Inc.
P.O. Box 55
Fredericksburg TX 78624
(830) 685-3321
info@historicschools.org
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