Sunday, April 7, 2019

History of Creedmoor Negro School in Creedmoor, Texas explored.

Not too much is known about the Creedmoor Negro School of Creedmoor, Texas. Creedmoor Negro School is one of the many forgotten negro schools of Travis County and Creedmoor. Its history seems to have been long forgotten and not well documented. Creedmoor Negro School was operated by Creedmoor Common School District and Del Valle ISD from 1888 to 1968.


Creedmoor Negro School was established by Creedmoor Common School District in 1888 to meet the demand of the growing African American population in Creedmoor, Texas. During the late part of the 19th century around the 1880s is when African American citizens began moving to the Creedmoor area. Creedmoor Negro School operated out of a church called Center Union Baptist Church which was located at 9216 Williamson Road, in Creedmoor, Texas. Property of Center Union Baptist Church was once owned by Alton B. Laws.

Creedmoor Negro School was a 1-7 school were students in grades 1 through 7 were educated. The age range for students was from 6-17. Creedmoor School was referred to as Creedmoor Colored School by local newspapers in the Austin/Travis County area. (Ref: The Austin American, Page 54, Sunday, October 14, 1956)



During the early part of the 20th century around the 1920s is when more African American citizens began moving to the Creedmoor area. Classes had to be separated into two 6 hour time schedules. Creedmoor Negro School appeared on the north side of Williamson Road in 1932. (Ref: 1932 Travis County Topographic and Road Map)

Creedmoor Negro School had an average daily attendance of 22 students on a daily basis during the 1934-1935 school year. One teacher taught all 22 students. Records show that 32 students were attending Creedmoor Negro School in 1936.


By the 1950s, Creedmoor Negro School was referred to as Creedmoor Colored School. (Ref: The Austin American, Page 45, Sunday, March 13, 1955)

Interestingly enough, Creedmoor Negro School was labeled and referred to as “Creedmoor School” on a 1956 topographical map of Southeast Austin. However the map shows Creedmoor Negro School not on Williamson Road but located on Old Lockhart Highway. The map shows “Creedmoor School” as being located at the address of 8411 Old Lockhart Highway, Creedmoor, Texas, US 78610. (Ref: 1956 USGS topographical map of Southeast Austin)

This is could be a labelling error by USGS on their part when documentation for the topographical map was being recorded.

The property of 8411 Old Lockhart Highway is owned by Joyce Delores Laws and Alton B. Laws Jr. as records from Travis County Appraisal District show. However no records show of there ever being a school located on their property. (Ref: http://propaccess.traviscad.org/clientdb/Property.aspx?prop_id=301901)

Travis County Appraisal District records show that many members members of the Laws family owned several acres of land located below the horizontal highway of Old Lockhart Highway (Old Lockhart Road). Today Joyce Delores Laws owns the property of 8411 Old Lockhart Highway. (Ref: Travis County Deed Records, 2008202781)


Classes were still held at Center Union Baptist Church on 9216 Williamson Road in 1965. Creedmoor Common School District continued to operate Creedmoor Negro School at Center Union Baptist Church on lease until 1968 when the Civil Rights Act was passed ruling racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The church reverted back to community use in 1968.

The address for Creedmoor Negro School was 9216 Williamson Road, Creedmoor, Texas, US 78610.

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