Clarksville School in Austin, Texas long forgotten.

The history of Clarksville School and Clarksville School itself have been long forgotten. Clarksville School has faded away with time away from people’s minds. Clarksville School is one of Austin’s many forgotten institutions from decades ago.Most never really heard or seen the former Clarksville School. Clarksville School was one of the many schools historians never wrote a book about or news stations have either covered.

Clarksville School was built as a one-room schoolhouse as a log cabin in 1881 at the location of 1811 West 11th Street, Austin, Texas, US 78703. The log cabin was built from cedar trees grown in the area. The Clarksville School was a negro school. African American children were taught here. Clarksville School was zoned to Austin Public Schools (now Austin ISD) during its time of operation from 1881 to 1964. Basic instruction such as home economics, spelling, history, and literature (reading course) were taught and provided. Spelling was one of the most highly important subjects taught at this school next to their reading courses.

Grades 1st through 6th were taught at Clarksville School. Students who wanted to continue their junior high school education and high school education were transferred to Kealing Junior High School (now Kealing Middle School) and Anderson High School in East Austin. Some pupils were transferred to Campbell School (now Campbell Elementary School).

In 1916, the old Clarksville School log cabin was demolished. In 1917 is when the new Clarksville School was built as a red brick building. The school conducted education in one room as before. Expansion was never really needed because enrollment was at a flat rate.

Due to racial integration, Clarksville School was closed down in 1964 and the remaining students were transferred to Matthews Elementary School in 1965 following integration. The Clarksville School building was moved to O. Henry Junior High School (now O. Henry Middle School) in 1965. The Clarksville School building now serves as an added on addition to O. Henry Middle School. Former Clarksville School building now serves as a cafeteria. The former Clarksville School campus was converted into a park called Clarksville Park in 1966.

Today the cement pavilions where Clarksville School campus one stood is now basketball courts. A volleyball court has been since built next to the basketball courts. All that remains of the Clarksville School are the cement pavilions. Today the Clarksville School legacy lives on as Clarksville Park.

Clarksville School was located at the location of 1811 West 11th Street, Austin, Texas, US 78703.