Former Bitting School in Elgin, Texas long forgotten.

Captain J. W. Bitting donated one acre of land to Travis County Public Schools for the Bitting School in 1895. Bitting School was built as a schoolhouse in 1895 to serve students that lived in the small towns of Littig, Texas and Elgin, Texas as well as rural Travis County. The Bitting School was named after Confederate veteran J. W. Bitting (Captain J. W. Ramie) who served as captain in the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. John W. Bitting served as captain in North Carolina. T. F. Nairn and Dan Williams donated lumber material to built the school.

At first the school term was 3 months. The school term was later extended to 4 months. Professor J. W. Ramie was one of the first teachers who taught 50 students in one room. There were 3 students sitting at one desk. Many had to sit by the windows. Attendance was very high.

A new school building was built for Bitting School in 1908.  The same time Cottonwood School (Cottonwood Elementary School) was built. This time the school was located between Cottonwood Creek far away from Littig. Bitting School relocated next to Cottonwood School. Enrollment was 35 students a day for average daily attendance and the school term was extended to 6 months in 1908.

In 1908, the Bitting School became the Littig School and a portion of the Bitting School building was relocated to Littig to become part of the 1887 Littig White School building. [Although the Bitting School was the former Littig School (Littig White School).] Existence of Bitting School lasted from 1895 to 1908.

County trustees bought the property of the school in 1913. Another teacher was added the same year. Professor J. W. Ramie continued to teach students at this school until 1920.

Bitting School Road in Elgin, Texas was named after the Bitting School itself.  That is why you see the road bear the name “Bitting School Road” today. The road of today carries a historical connection to the former Bitting School that once existed in time.

The former Bitting School was located 2 miles north of Bitting School Road & Hogeye Road, Elgin, Texas, US 78621.


*Bitting School was located nearly 2 miles north of the intersection of Bitting School Road & Hogeye Road near the small town of Littig, Texas.
*Captain J. W. Bitting also went under the name Captain J. W. Ramie.
*Captain J. W. Bitting was John W. Bitting.
*The Bitting School was the former Littig School (Littig White School).