What happened to the Willow Ranch School?

Ever wonder what happened to Willow Ranch School? Read this interesting news article to find out what exactly happened to Willow Ranch School and where it was relocated to.


The creation of Willow Ranch School was established in 1890 along with Willow Ranch Negro School in Manor, Texas. However the school would not open for a number of years due to a lack of local funding. Prior to 1894 students attended the Manda School. Landowner Peter Carr Wells donated a plot of land on his ranch to the Willow Ranch School District and Manor ISD in 1894.

Willow Ranch School was established on Wells School Road in Manor, Texas during 1898 after a meeting. Willow Ranch School was built and established as two-room building during construction. Walls were for this building were painted an ivory color. (Ref: The Defender, 1936)

Willow Ranch School was a 1-6 school that educated students in grades 1 through 6. School stopped after 6th grade. 7th grade students were bussed to Manor High School for classes.

Students learned basic skills at this school. Willow Ranch School offered classes for Texas history, geography, art, and physical education. The Willow Ranch School participated in interscholastic league competitions with other rural schools across the State of Texas.

Most of the students who attended were children of Swedish farmers who were immigrants. In fact, some of the Swedish farmers sharecropped the P. C. Wells land. (Ref: Willow Ranch School historical marker)

The Willow Ranch School was established as a “white school” called “Willow Ranch White School”. Willow Ranch School was a school only white students could attend. Black students attended Willow Ranch Negro School. Willow Ranch School never integrated. Willow Ranch School was also referred to names such as Willow Ranch White School and Wells School.


By the early 20th century is when Willow Ranch School became a place for community clubs and social gatherings. The school was more or less used as a community center for the settlement of Kimbro, Manda, and New Sweden.

Mrs. Slems was the teacher elected to teach at Willow Ranch School in 1931. Mrs. Slems had a large number of patrons and friends. Mrs. Otto Stern was also a teacher for this school. Their teaching style was satisfactory with parents. Another room was added in 1936, providing space for other classes.

(Ref: Shiner Gazette, Page 4, May 7, 1931)
(Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 6, September 25, 1931)

Willow Ranch School closed in 1938 and its students were transferred to the Kimbro School District and eventually Manor ISD. Mrs. Otto Stern, Mr. Slems, and Mrs. Slems were its last teachers. The land reverted back to Tom Wells as agreement stated on a deed.


Willow Ranch School would sit vacant for over 40 years before being destroyed by a tornado. The school was used as a community center for a period of time.

In April 1980, Willow Ranch School was damaged by a tornado that destroyed farm properties and ranch properties in Northeast Travis County. The school building was purchased after the tornado by Lester C. Nelson and Lois M. Nelson in 1981. The couple moved the building onto their house as an addition and was visible from public right of way facing FM 1100. Willow Ranch School was relocated to 13707 FM 1100, Manor, Texas, US 78653.

The Willow Ranch School stopped showing up on maps by 1982. Every other building structure besides the school remained on the P. C. Wells property by 1985. The school was gone in 1985. No traces of the school were found on the Wells Ranch anymore.
(Ref: 1982 topographical map of Manor, Texas on NETR Historic Aerials)
(Ref: 1985 aerial map of Manor, Texas on NETR Historic Aerials)

Texas Historic Commission issued a landmark to Travis County for the property of the former Willow Ranch School in April 1998. The historic marker was donated by Estate of John E. Rolf and Travis County Historical Commission. (Ref: Willow Ranch School historical marker)

The school was abandoned once again by 2011. All of its windows were missing. The roof was sinking into the structurally unsafe floors. Over time the buildings (of the house and school) were vandalized and scrapped. Graffiti was strewn all over inside.

Today Willow Ranch School belongs to the Lester C. Nelson Life Estate. The house has not been maintained properly and has fallen into rural decay.