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A brief history of Williams Creek (Albert) School: Built in 1897. Consolidated in 1950. The curriculum consisted of arithmetic, reading, writing, spelling, history, geography, and penmanship. During WWI, a new law required all subjects, except foreign languages, to be taught in English, and German was not allowed on the school grounds. There could be as many as 8 grades in one room, and older students helped younger ones. On Fridays there would be spelling bees.

Current activities: Williams Creek (Albert) School has established a community club. In 2010, the Club met on January 30, March 27, May 29, July 24, and September 25 at 2:30 pm for card and domino games and a social, meeting at 4:30 pm with a meal following. Christmas social will be held in December. The school is also used today for reunions, family parties, and other community activities.

Club Officers:

In 1891, one acre of land on Williams Creek was bought for $1. A one-room log cabin was built and School District #38 was established. In November 1897, in order to move the school away from the creek to a more accessible area, a new 1-1/2 acre tract of land was bought for $5 in what is now known as Albert.

In this new limestone rock building, lessons were only taught in German for a number of years. Later, however English was also taught. By 1922, two teachers were needed for the growing number of students so another room was added with an enclosed porch between the two rooms. The school enrollment at this time was 70 students. The new room was constructed of wood, with a brick-faced tin exterior. Each room also had its own chimney for the wood burning stoves.

Reverend Arhelger tells what he remember about the Williams Creek School, from about 1895:

"John Merz taught us reading and writing in German and English at the Albert School. He was a scholar in his own right and a strict disciplinarian. The primary language of instruction was English, even though there were only two families in the community that were exclusively English-speaking at the time. Farmers' children grew up on the farm in the cotton patch, but they'd try to have all the cotton picked before school began in September. It was important that the children did not miss school."

(from M. Martinello with Ophelia Weinheimer "The Search for Emma's Story")

Another interesting fact is that in 1920 and 1921, future President Lyndon B. Johnson was enrolled as a student. In 1949, student enrollment dropped considerably and the students were contracted to the Stonewall School District. On June 12, 1950, the majority of the qualified voters in District #38 voted to consolidate with Stonewall.

OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, March 31
Along with
Lower South Grape Creek
Luckenbach
Grapetown
Meusebach Creek

AND

Saturday, October 6
Along with
Nebgen, Junction
AND Trinity Lutheran
Church at Stonewall

To make arrangements for your special group tour or special event, call
Ada Wilke
(830) 644-2651
or
Clif Maenius
(830) 997-8729
Cost:
$100 (with $100 deposit)

#7 on the driving map
5501 South Ranch Road 1623

View Larger Map

GPS: 30.105262,-98.492088