of Fayetteville. Go to www.fayettevilletx.com
 for a complete list of all things of interest in Fayetteville.
Early Schools in Fayetteville In 1834 the Breeding family established the area’s first school a few miles west of Fayetteville in a log house on their land. Children from the Breeding family, the Burnham family, the Alexander family and others attended. (A historical marker located on Hwy 159 west of Fayetteville marks the place.) Later, from 1849 to 1858, the Fayetteville Academy taught dozens of local area students. (The school was chartered on November 26, 1850; it was known both as Fayette Academy and Fayetteville Academy.) The school’s teachers included Baptist minister P. B. Chandler and then later Methodist minister William P. Smith. A historical marker near the City and Catholic Cemeteries, across the railroad tracks, shows the location of the school. In 1860, the Fayetteville Male and Female Academy opened as a successor to the Fayetteville Academy with 88 students, some from out-of-town who boarded at the school. Here students attended classes in music as well. The Civil War likely caused the school to close. Fayetteville Public School Northwest on Hwy 159 near the Fayetteville city limit—is a red, two-story building from 1911. Ground was broken for the $10,000 structure on February 13, 1911 on land purchased from J. R. Kubena for $300. The opening ceremonies on July 19, 1911 are described fondly: all of the businesses closed and the entire town, as well as large crowds from neighboring communities, met and formed a procession leading around the Square and out to the new school building. The ceremonies included speeches by the school trustees, music by the famed Baca Band and school children waving flags. Little Miss Lester Stierling presented the keys to the building to School Board President Ed Sarrazin, who then opened the doors, inviting everyone to enter and inspect the building. The spacious hall on the upper floor was crowded to capacity when County Superintendent Stierling addressed the crowd. Upon the conclusion of the addresses and after a photograph was taken of the assembly, the procession brought the guests down to Germania Hall where a bountiful supply of food—for which Fayetteville is so well known—was served, including BBQ, pickles, bread and cake, and liquid refreshments. The remainder of the afternoon was passed with additional speeches and various amusements. A ball was held in the evening which was well attended and greatly enjoyed by everyone. |
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