Many historians, news reporters, journalists, writers, and Austin ISD staff can agree that Pleasant Hill School (Pleasant Elementary Hill School) is the oldest school in Austin, Texas. In fact, Pleasant Hill School is one of the oldest public schools in Austin, Texas next to Pease School (Pease Elementary School), Eanes School (Eanes Elementary School), and Austin High School. The Pleasant Hill School is/was both a negro school and a white school.
History of Pleasant Hill School began in 1858 at Onion Creek Lodge #220 (Onion Creek Masonic Lodge #220) as Red Cedar School and later Union School. The Masons discussed the issue of opening their own lodge. The Masons petitioned for their own lodge in 1858. Pleasant Hill School first began inside a small one-room log cabin built from red cedar which was conceived from Bastrop County.
In those days, Pleasant Hill School was a K-12 school teaching 1st grade through 10th grade operating as a 1-10 school. 11th grade was added sometime during the 20th century. From 1858-1935 is when Pleasant Hill School operated in the Onion Creek Lodge.
The log cabin later destroyed by Indians in the fall of 1859. Everything was salvaged by Indians with the building being beyond repair. The building burned. The result of this fire was believed to have been antics by local school children. Exact details as to how the Pleasant Hill School burnt down is still a mystery to this day.
A new building was required to be built. Native white limestone was quarried in from Oak Hill. The stone lodge building was completed in 1860. First floor of the Onion Creek Lodge was used by the Pleasant Hill School and the second floor was used to hold religious services by the Masons, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists by alternating on Sundays. The Masons leased their lodge building to various religious groups and religious organizations over the years.
The Union School House changed name to Pleasant Hill School in 1869. The Mason’s assumed full ownership of the entire building the same year. 1869 was a year that brought forth a lot of changes for the Onion Creek Masonic Lodge and Pleasant Hill School.
Extra additional space was added at a cost of $440 dollars in 1870. 1870 is when more changes were brought forth.
Extra additional space was added at a cost of $770 dollars in 1908. The 1908-1909 school semester saw an increase in enrollment. Austin Public Schools (Austin ISD) began overseeing administrative duties for Pleasant Hill School during this time. 1st grade through 9th grade were taught here. Pleasant Hill School was a 1-9 school. School never went past 10th grade.
In the 1934-1935 school semester, Pleasant Hill School had 28 students. The average daily attendance was 15 students daily. There was one teacher for 28 students. The cost per year was $435. One teacher taught 1st grade through 9th grade for 120 days.
First floor of the Onion Creek Lodge was used by the Pleasant Hill School to educate students until 1935 when the present school building was built and opened. 1935 is when Pleasant Hill moved into a new and improved school building a mile north on Circle S Road. For the school semesters of 1935-1936 and 1936-1937 is when Pleasant Hill School became a 1-9 school teaching 1st grade through 9th grade. After finishing 9th grade, students attended Austin High School in town.
1956 is when Austin ISD took full control over Pleasant Hill School and the Pleasant Hill School District by incorporating and annexing the property around the school. The Pleasant Hill School District lasted from 1953 to 1956. It was never really powerful and did not last long due to the city of Austin annexing that area in 1956. Lifespan and duration of Pleasant Hill School District was short. Pleasant Hill School integrated in 1956.
By 1960 Pleasant Hill School was a known negro school. Despite integration, a majority of the student population was African American. Much of Southeast Austin had a large black population by 1960. Pleasant Hill School was no exception. 1960 is the same year Austin ISD added Kindergarden to the Pleasant Hill School and that is when Pleasant Hill School became a K-9 school.
By 1975, Pleasant Hill School became Pleasant Hill Elementary School and was no longer a 1-9 school that taught grades 1st through 9th as the school had in the past. Pleasant Hill School reformed and was restructured into an elementary school which would become Pleasant Hill Elementary School that grades Kindergarden through 6th.
By 1985 during the 1985-1986 school year, Pleasant Hill School is no longer a negro school or an all-white school. Hispanic students and families had been moving into the area compromising more than 50% of the student population.
By 1989, Hispanic students compromised 50%-65% of the student population for Pleasant Hill Elementary School. A majority of students at this school were Hispanic as of that year.
In May 1992, the Pleasant Hill Elementary School playground was renovated in honor of former kindergarten teacher Jo Ann Hinte through a fund-raising campaign. The school's playground roof was a mere inconvenience.
As of 2017, Pleasant Hill School is the oldest free public school in Texas and is the oldest school in Austin overall. Today the early Pleasant Hill School and school building still stands which is now Onion Creek Masonic Lodge #220.
Hispanic students compromise 85% of the student population for Pleasant Hill Elementary School. A majority of students at this school that are Hispanic come from a Mexican background/ancestry. Hispanic students compromise a majority student population for Pleasant Hill Elementary School as of this time currently.
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